We've gone Mindhorn mad at Myspace, if you're not aware of who he is yet we are here to fix that. It's truth time.

The Mindhorn trailer

What is the plot of Mindhorn?

In 1989 Richard Thorncroft (Julian Barratt) was the star of hit a TV show about a detective called Bruce Mindhorn set on the Isle of Man. Mindhorn’s special power is that he can ‘literally see the truth’. The show was eventually cancelled and now Thorncroft is now a washed-up and overweight, out of work actor.

He is called up to play the role of Mindhorn one last time when a deranged serial killer threatens to kill again unless he gets to talk to Mindhorn on the phone. Thorncroft sees this as an opportunity to revive his dumpster of a career and perhaps win back his love interest from the show. Instead he manages to mess almost everything up.

The film is a love-letter to high-concept 80s TV detective dramas like Manimal or Six Million Dollar Man as well as more classic shows like Columbo or Bergerac. Barratt was previously part of the Mighty Boosh which shines through and provides some of the weirder laughs.

Julian Barratt does an amazing turn as the central character who believes he is far more important than he really is. The film is a frequently surreal and madcap comedy with real heart. Even if Mindhorn is an idiot you are entirely on his side by the end.

When is Mindhorn premiere?

Mindhorn will appear on Netflix on May 12th

Mindhorn cast and crew

Richard Thorncroft / Mindhorn

Julian Barratt is amazing as the delusional title character. A now out of shape and largely ignored actor who still believes that he is the superstar he was in the early 80s. Barratt also co-wrote the screenplay.

Patricia Deville

Thorncroft’s sidekick in the TV show and paramour in real life. Deville has moved on and made a success of her life post-Mindhorn but Thorncroft hopes he can rekindle their relationship. He might have a chance if he wasn’t such an idiot, and if she wasn’t happily married now.

Clive Parnevik

Simon Farnaby was previously the stuntman on Mindhorn and now married to Patricia Deville. He seems to never wear enough clothes so he can show off how fit he is compared to Mindhorn. Simon Farnaby who plays Clive Parnevik also co-wrote the screenplay.

Peter Eastman

Previously a minor character in Mindhorn, Peter’s spin off show Windjammer is still hugely successful. He even has his own line of ‘Windjammer’ clothes. He’s everything Thorncroft hates. Peter is played by Steve Coogan who was also an executive producer on the show.

The joke they didn’t dare put in Mindhorn

Still undecided? Here’s a great interview with Barratt and Farnaby by NME, including the joke that was too harsh to make it into the film.

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