Fackham Hall: Stream It or Skip It? – A Hilarious Downton Abbey Spoof

A new wave of spoof comedies may be upon us and it’s arriving with a healthy dose of lowbrow humor and slapstick. Fackham Hall, now streaming on HBO Max, is being described as a Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker-style parody of British period dramas like those found on Masterpiece Theatre and produced by Merchant-Ivory. The film, conceived and written by comedian Jimmy Carr and the Dawson Bros., features a cast including Thomasin McKenzie, Damian Lewis, and Katherine Waterston.

Fackham Hall: Stream It Or Skip It?

The story unfolds in 1931, narrated by Hayley Mills, and centers on the Davenport family’s attempts to maintain their aristocratic lifestyle at Fackham Hall despite the hardships of the Great Depression. The estate, described as rivaling an airport in size, has been in the family for 400 years, seemingly untouched by the outside world. A rather pointed detail – the gate to the manor reads “INCESTUS AD INFINITUM” – hints at the film’s willingness to push boundaries.

The narrative introduces Lord Humphrey Davenport (Lewis), his detached wife, Lady Prudence (Waterston), and their unmarried daughter, Rose (McKenzie). Downstairs, head butler Cyril (Tim McMullan) and housekeeper Mrs. McAllister (Anna Maxwell Martin) oversee a servant class that, according to the film, could easily revolt if they weren’t acutely aware of their place.

A key plot point involves Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe), a pickpocket from an orphanage, sent to deliver a letter to Lord Davenport. His arrival at Fackham Hall is anything but smooth, nearly being struck by Rose’s car. Their instant connection sets the stage for a romantic entanglement complicated by societal expectations and family obligations. Rose’s sister, Poppy, is engaged to their cousin Archibald Davenport (Tom Felton), a union driven by the need for a male heir to secure the family’s legacy. The film satirizes the rigid traditions and limited opportunities afforded to women in this era.

As Rose grapples with her feelings for Eric and the pressure to marry Archibald, the story incorporates elements of hunting excursions, opulent dinners filled with witty banter (“Sick burn, bitch!” is one reported quip), and even a murder mystery featuring a detective with a comically oversized mustache. The film’s humor, as described by one reviewer, is intentionally “dumb” and relies heavily on puns, slapstick, and sight gags.

Fackham Hall is being compared to films like The Naked Gun, and is part of a resurgence of spoof comedies, alongside a new Scary Movie. The film’s success, according to one assessment, hinges on landing at least half of its jokes, a benchmark it appears to meet.

Thomasin McKenzie’s performance is highlighted as a standout, showcasing her comedic timing and willingness to embrace the film’s absurdity. The film also includes moments of physical humor, including a bare butt used to park a bike, and a glimpse of a boner through pants.

The film’s satire targets the aristocracy, privilege, and class warfare, offering a critical, albeit exaggerated, commentary on British society. While the satire is described as “obvious,” it’s considered effective in its jabs at the upper class.

Fackham Hall is presented as a film that doesn’t take itself seriously, aiming for maximum stupidity and relying on a relentless barrage of jokes. The question isn’t necessarily whether it’s high art, but whether it can deliver consistent laughs. According to one reviewer, it succeeds in that endeavor.

Our Call: Stream It.