Movie spotlight
It’s 1881, and Old College, Oxford plays host to three very different academics. Abercrombie Smith is a model of Victorian manhood, clean of limb and sound of mind. Monkhouse Lee is a delicate and unworldly student from Thailand. And occupying the rooms between them is the strange and exotic Edward Bellingham, whose unnatural researches into the secrets of ancient Egypt are the talk of the college. Can Bellingham’s experiments truly bring the breath of life to the horrifying bag of bones that is the mysterious Lot No 249?
Set in 1920s Oxford, the film follows a young academic who inherits a mysterious Egyptian mummy, Lot No. 249, from his travels. Strange occurrences and terrifying visions plague him and those around him as he becomes increasingly obsessed with the artifact. Unbeknownst to him, the mummy is not merely an exhibit but a reanimated vessel for ancient vengeance.
Generally well-received by critics and audiences, 'Lot No. 249' was praised for its atmospheric tension, faithful adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's story, and strong performances. The production successfully captured the chilling spirit of classic ghost stories, though some found the pacing deliberate.
Praised for its eerie atmosphere and unsettling suspense.
Lauded for a faithful and chilling adaptation of the original story.
Appreciated for strong performances, particularly from the lead.
Google audience: Viewers enjoyed the classic ghost story feel and the suspenseful narrative, finding it a satisfyingly spooky watch. Some mentioned it was a bit slow at times but ultimately rewarding.
Nominated for Best Single Drama at the Broadcast Awards 2024.
The story 'Lot No. 249' was originally published in 1892, making this 2023 adaptation one of the earliest works of fiction to feature a reanimated mummy.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources
Remember “Tales of the Unexpected”? Well I thought this a bit like one of these editions as “Smith” (Kit Harrington) starts to suspect that his fellow Oxford University student “Bellingham” (Freddie Fox) is using a particularly unique metho...