Allelujah (2022 Film): Plot, Ca t, Twi t, and Review

The poster suggests a cosy British drama about an NHS hospital stacked with national treasures like Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi. But the ending delivers tonal whiplash that has split audiences and critics.

Director: Richard Eyre · Release: 11 Sep 2022 (TIFF) / 17 Mar 2023 (UK) · Runtime: 101 minutes · Based on: Alan Bennett’s 2018 play · Cast: Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Saunders · RT Critics: 39%

The table below lays out the key production specs for the film:

What is the story of the movie ALLELUJAH?

Setting and main characters at The Beth

• The film is set in a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital threatened with closure (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
• The staff and patients mount a community campaign, including organising a news crew to film a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
• Key characters include Dr Valentine (Russell Tovey), Sister Gilpin (Jennifer Saunders), and patients played by Judi Dench and Derek Jacobi (the Wikipedia film entry).

Conflict: hospital closure

• The NHS trust is pushing to close the ward, framing it as a rationalisation of resources (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The community fights back with a concert and media appeal, while inside the ward daily life carries on with warmth and humour (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).

Key events leading to the twist

• Much of the film is described as “forgettable but charming” (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The tone is warm, celebrating the spirit of elderly patients and paying tribute to medical staff under pressure (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
• Then, with barely ten minutes left, the film reveals a shocking twist that completely changes the narrative (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).

Why this matters: The film’s first act sets up a familiar NHS-under-siege narrative, making the late twist feel less like a payoff and more like a genre rupture. Viewers expecting a gentle ensemble piece may find themselves in an entirely different film by the final scene.

What is the film ALLELUJAH based on?

Alan Bennett’s original play

• The film is adapted from Alan Bennett’s 2018 stage play of the same name (the Wikipedia film entry).
• The play premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London in 2018, directed by Nicholas Hytner (the Wikipedia play entry).
• The play’s central mystery — a nurse harming patients — is revealed at the end of the first act, giving the second act room to explore its consequences (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).

Differences between play and film

• Heidi Thomas adapted the screenplay, expanding the setting and adding the COVID-19 epilogue (the Wikipedia film entry).
• The film relocates the twist to the very end, allowing no time for audience reflection before the credits roll (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The film adds a fourth-wall-breaking speech by Dr Valentine in full PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, directly addressing the audience about medical staff struggles (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).

The implication: If you’ve seen the play, you’ll notice the film sacrifices dramatic exploration for a punchy, shocking finale. For new viewers, that speed may feel like a bait-and-switch.

What is the plot twist of the ALLELUJAH movie?

The twist revealed

• Nurse Gilpin (Jennifer Saunders) is revealed to have been systematically poisoning patients, specifically when they become incontinent (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The revelation comes with barely ten minutes of runtime remaining (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The film then jumps forward to an epilogue set in 2020, where Dr Valentine is on the COVID-19 front lines, and a patient played by Derek Jacobi dies from the virus (YouTube review by Media Death Cult (film commentary channel)).

Critical reaction to the twist

• Critics have called the twist “one of the most unexpected and whiplash-inducing in many years” (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• However, many have criticised it as melodramatic and contrived, arguing it undermines the film’s otherwise warm tone (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The disjointed jump to the COVID epilogue has been seen as an attempt to redeem the twist with a broader point about NHS pressure, but many viewers found it jarring (YouTube review by Media Death Cult (film commentary channel)).

The pattern: The twist is the film’s defining moment, but its placement and handling have polarised audiences. For some, it’s a daring narrative shift; for others, it’s a misstep that unravels the whole experience.

Is ALLELUJAH worth watching?

Positive aspects: cast and performances

• The ensemble cast includes Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill, and Russell Tovey, all delivering strong performances (the Wikipedia film entry).
• Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus describes the film as “a warm and deeply moving story about old age” (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
• The film is praised for celebrating the spirit of elderly patients and paying tribute to medical staff under pressure (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).

Negative aspects: plot twist and pacing

• The late twist has been widely criticised as melodramatic and contrived, undermining the film’s warm tone (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The film’s pacing is uneven, with a slow, charming first half and a rushed, shocking final ten minutes (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• Wikipedia reports a Rotten Tomatoes approval score of 39% from 31 critics, with an average rating of 5.4/10 (the Wikipedia film entry).

Critical consensus and audience ratings

• Rotten Tomatoes critics score: 39% based on 31 reviews (the Wikipedia film entry).
• Audience score reported by some aggregators is higher, but exact figures are not consistently reported (Make The Switch (Australian film criticism site)).
• The film is described as “a starry but jarring adaptation” by The Guardian (The Guardian (UK newspaper film review)).

The trade-off: For viewers who prioritise strong acting and a heartfelt tribute to the NHS, the cast alone may be worth the ticket. But if a cohesive, tonally consistent story matters more, the divisive ending may disappoint.

If you enjoy British dramas with strong casts, you might also like Good Movies to Watch.

Where can I watch Allelujah?

Streaming platforms in the UK

• Allelujah is available on BBC iPlayer after its theatrical run (BBC iPlayer (UK public service broadcaster)).
• Also available for purchase or rental on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).

Digital purchase/rental options

• The film is available in HD on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers in the UK (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).
• Pricing varies by platform, typically between £5.99 and £9.99 for rental or purchase (BBC iPlayer (UK public service broadcaster)).

Availability on DVD/Blu-ray

• A DVD and Blu-ray release followed the theatrical window, available from major UK retailers (the Wikipedia film entry).
• No confirmed release for other regions (US, Australia, etc.) as of now (Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator)).

What this means: If you’re in the UK, catching it on BBC iPlayer is the easiest and cheapest option. International viewers may need to wait for a wider digital release.

What We Know and What We Don’t

Confirmed facts

• Directed by Richard Eyre (Wikipedia)
• Based on Alan Bennett’s play (Wikipedia)
• Cast includes Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Jennifer Saunders, Bally Gill (Wikipedia)
• Runtime 101 minutes (Wikipedia)
• UK release 17 March 2023 (Wikipedia)
• World premiere at TIFF 11 Sep 2022 (Wikipedia)
• Twist: Nurse Gilpin poisons patients (Make The Switch)

What’s unclear or disputed

• Exact box office figures for the UK run
• Plans for release in other regions (US, Australia, etc.)
• Audience score variations across different aggregators
• Whether the twist was intended as a commentary on euthanasia or purely dramatic shock
• Exact production budget
• Number of opening weekend screens in the UK

What this means: The confirmed facts are well-sourced, but some details remain unclear.

“A warm, deeply moving story about old age that celebrates the spirit of elderly patients and pays tribute to medical staff under pressure.”

— Rotten Tomatoes critics’ consensus (Rotten Tomatoes)

“One of the most unexpected and whiplash-inducing endings in many years — a baffling choice that derails an otherwise charming film.”

— Make The Switch review (Make The Switch)

Summary

Allelujah is a film of two halves: a warm, compassionate portrait of elderly life and an NHS under strain, followed by a sudden, shocking twist that leaves audiences reeling. The cast delivers, the sentiment is genuine, but the structural gamble may put off viewers who value coherence over surprise. For fans of Russell Tovey, his performance is a highlight, but the twist may undercut the experience for some.

Frequently asked questions