In 2008, after working in the shark-infested British music scene, John Niven penned the seminal Kill Your Friends, with a lead character equal parts Bateman and Belfort and here brought to life by that goofy-looking kid from About A Boy. Uh…

To be fair to Hoult, he tries to grab the role of Stelfox with both hands, losing grip consistently. He’s devoid of any terrifying menace or unwavering charm – this antihero needs both in spades.

Niven’s novel is acerbic, but onscreen it plays as toothless, boring, predictable. This rebel novel has sold out its heart on the way to theatre screens.

Despite having a couple of noteworthy scenes and some good supporting performances (James Corden most definitely excluded), most of this confused satire, as Stelfox so charmingly puts it, can fuck. Off.

RATING: 2/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Nicholas Hoult, James Corden, Georgia King, Craig Roberts, Tom Riley

DIRECTOR: Owen Harris

WRITER: John Niven

SYNOPSIS: An A&R man working at the height of the Britpop music craze goes to extremes in order to find his next hit.