Netflix has released the first trailer for Ink, director Danny Boyle's historical drama focusing on the rise of media baron Rupert Murdoch, as the movie makes its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
The film arrives as Netflix's leading candidate for the upcoming Academy Awards race this year. Initial reviews and early commentary have already drawn praise for the project ahead of its public debut.
Murdoch rise and Sun history
Directed by Boyle, Ink centers on the pivotal early period of Murdoch's career as he established his presence in the British media industry. The story follows Murdoch as he took over The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom, eventually transforming it into the most read newspaper in Britain before launching his expansion into the United States market.
At the core of the narrative is the close collaboration between Murdoch and Larry Lamb, the newspaper's editor at the time. The drama documents how the pair worked together to rebuild the publication and reshape the British media landscape, establishing Murdoch as one of the world's most powerful media tycoons.
Murdoch, who was born in Australia, built News Corporation into a global media enterprise spanning newspapers, television networks, and publishing houses. After acquiring British titles, he expanded into the American market by buying the New York Post and establishing the Fox Network. Lamb served as the founding editor of the revamped tabloid format of The Sun in 1969, helping pioneer a populist style of journalism that achieved unprecedented commercial circulation across the United Kingdom.
Cast and awards recognition
Guy Pearce stars as Rupert Murdoch, portraying the publisher during a period that turned him into a controversial figure in the United States and international media circles. Early reactions to the film have highlighted Pearce's performance, sparking discussion about his prospects in the upcoming awards season.
Jack O'Connell co-stars as editor Larry Lamb. The supporting cast includes Claire Foy, Patrick Kennedy, and Blake Harrison.
Boyle previously directed acclaimed feature films such as the 1996 drama Trainspotting and the 2002 post-apocalyptic thriller 28 Days Later. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for his 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. Pearce is known for leading roles in L.A. Confidential and Memento, while O'Connell gained prominence in Starred Up and Unbroken. Foy earned international acclaim for starring as Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix drama series The Crown.
The world premiere takes place at the Venice International Film Festival, founded in 1932 on the island of Lido in Venice, Italy. As the world's oldest film festival, Venice annually anchors the launch of major autumn prestige films. The premiere positions Ink at the head of Netflix's Oscar campaign for the upcoming awards circuit.
