Brian Cox’s directorial debut Glenrothan arrives as an obvious follow-up for Succession fans hungry for another exploration of family dysfunction, but the 97-minute Scottish dramedy proves that a compelling setting and strong cast cannot compensate for a script that refuses to dig deeper. Cox stars as Sandy, one of two estranged brothers reuniting at their family’s 200-year-old Glen Nairn whiskey distillery in the Scottish Highlands after nearly 40 years apart, alongside Alan Cumming as Donal, the black sheep brother returning to confront old wounds.
Key Takeaways
- Brian Cox makes his directorial debut with Glenrothan, a Scottish family drama about estranged brothers reuniting at a whiskey distillery.
- The film reunites Cox with Alan Cumming, who plays Donal, the younger brother absent for almost 40 years.
- Critics describe Glenrothan as a “dramatic misfire” that wastes its talented cast on a bland, forgettable story.
- The film runs 1 hour 37 minutes and premiered in 2025 at film festivals including D-TIFF.
- Unlike Succession’s corporate intrigue, Glenrothan trades power plays for whiskey heritage, but lacks the emotional depth that made the HBO series compelling.
A Succession Successor That Misses the Mark
The premise suggests fertile ground for family drama: two headstrong brothers, decades of estrangement, a legacy business hanging in the balance. Yet Glenrothan collapses under the weight of its own clichés. Sandy emerges as the gruff patriarch figure, Donal as the troubled prodigal, and Alexandra Shipp’s character as the dutiful daughter caught between them. Shirley Henderson rounds out the cast as Jess, a master distiller and Donal’s former best friend now running the operation. The setup practically writes itself—and perhaps that is precisely the problem.
Where Succession thrived on razor-sharp dialogue and the slow-burn revelation of character motivation, Glenrothan treats its ensemble like walking clichés, never allowing them room to breathe or surprise. The film’s Scottish Highlands setting, captured in postcard-perfect misty cinematography by Jaime Ackroyd, becomes the most compelling character on screen—a beautiful backdrop for a story that refuses to earn its emotional stakes.
Why Brian Cox’s Directorial Debut Struggles
Cox’s transition from acclaimed actor to director exposes a gap between ambition and execution. The screenplay, credited to David Ashton and Jeff Murphy, contains the seeds of something meaningful: a meditation on legacy, forgiveness, and the weight of family expectation. But the film treats these ideas as decoration rather than substance. Characters deliver motivations as exposition. Conflicts resolve with shrugs rather than catharsis. The result reads as an overworked Scottish family drama that mistakes period setting and talented casting for genuine dramatic tension.
Critics have been unsparing. One review labeled it a “bottom-shelf blend: easily drinkable, highly forgettable, bland,” while another called it a “dramatic misfire” in which a potentially compelling premise crumbles under the weight of underdeveloped character work. The film’s attempts at humor land with a thud, and its attempts at pathos feel unearned. For audiences drawn to Glenrothan hoping to recapture the intensity of Succession, the experience is likely to disappoint.
Glenrothan vs. Succession: A World Apart, But Not in a Good Way
The comparison to Succession is unavoidable and ultimately damning. Both explore dysfunctional families and the corrosive effects of inherited power. But Succession operated in the high-stakes world of corporate media empire Waystar Royco, where every interaction carried the weight of billions and family bonds were constantly tested by professional ambition. Glenrothan retreats to a whiskey distillery, a smaller canvas that should allow for more intimate character exploration. Instead, the film squanders this advantage by keeping its characters at arm’s length, never forcing them to truly reckon with one another.
Succession succeeded because it understood that family dysfunction is not quaint or charming—it is devastating. The HBO series let its characters wound each other, then slowly peeled back the layers to reveal the insecurity and hunger beneath. Glenrothan, by contrast, treats family conflict as a plot device to be resolved by the third act, leaving viewers with the sense that nothing has really changed, nothing has truly mattered.
Should You Watch Brian Cox’s Directorial Debut?
If you are drawn to Scottish cinema, solid character actors, or the promise of a family drama with whiskey-soaked atmosphere, Glenrothan offers surface-level pleasures. The cast is likable, the cinematography is stunning, and the runtime is mercifully brief. But if you are seeking the emotional depth and narrative sophistication that made Succession essential viewing, look elsewhere. Cox’s directorial debut is a cautionary tale: a talented ensemble and a beautiful setting cannot redeem a script that refuses to take risks or demand anything of its characters—or its audience.
What is the plot of Glenrothan?
Glenrothan follows two estranged brothers, Sandy and Donal, who reunite after nearly 40 years at their family’s Scottish whiskey distillery in the Highlands. The film explores their attempt at reconciliation amid family legacy and business complications, though critics note the plot lacks emotional depth and relies heavily on familiar family drama tropes.
How does Glenrothan compare to Succession?
Both explore dysfunctional family dynamics, but Succession operates in the high-stakes world of corporate power while Glenrothan is set at a whiskey distillery. Critics argue Glenrothan fails to match Succession’s emotional intensity and character development, treating family conflict as a plot device rather than a profound exploration of human damage.
Is Glenrothan worth watching?
Glenrothan offers competent performances and beautiful Scottish cinematography, but reviewers describe it as forgettable and dramatically inert. It is best suited for viewers who prioritize atmosphere and cast over substantive storytelling, though fans of Succession seeking similar emotional resonance will likely find it disappointing.
Brian Cox’s directorial debut arrives with considerable expectations and delivers considerably less. Glenrothan proves that directorial ambition, a stellar cast, and a visually arresting location are not enough to overcome a script that plays it safe and characters that never truly challenge one another. For a film about family reconciliation, it remains oddly distant from the messy, painful reality of what that actually means.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: TechRadar
