The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry review: Gut-wrenchingly gorgeous

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a beautifully moving story about dealing with guilt and loss, and ultimately finding hope.

Okay, so the movie centers around this guy, Harold. He’s not leaving his wife because he wants to, it’s way more complicated than that. He’s really haunted by the fact he couldn’t save his son, and it’s eating him up inside. Plus, he feels terrible about a long-ago incident where Queenie Hennessy selflessly took the fall for something he did at work, and he never properly thanked her. It’s a really heavy story, all about regret and trying to make amends, or failing to.

After learning his friend Queenie is in hospice care, Harold begins a journey across England. He isn’t trying to save her, but rather to find inner peace, come to terms with the situation, and express his gratitude and farewell.

Harold and Maureen’s son had a difficult time after graduating from university, including issues with drug use. Instead of offering support, Harold reacted with shame and frustration, which worsened the situation.

A relationship born from both affection and worry ultimately collapsed in a painful way. Harold’s motivation throughout stems from his guilt – he simply wanted a secure future for his son, a life with work and stability, and couldn’t bear to see him struggling.

The show’s unique circular stage creates a cozy and immersive atmosphere. Dreamcatchers hang overhead, and projections change the backdrop to depict different skies and landscapes.

The use of real instruments creates a warm and lively feeling, and the soft folk-pop music perfectly complements the overall experience.

The first part of the show lasts about an hour and ten minutes, with a twenty-minute break before the second act, which is another hour long. The entire performance runs for approximately two and a half hours. It’s wonderfully paced, skillfully mixing funny and emotional moments.

The “On the Road” section really embodies the feeling of living life to the fullest, and “Believe” is genuinely inspiring. A standout moment is the funny and relatable “You’re Fed,” which shows Harold struggling with painful blisters and provides some welcome humor. The adorable puppet dog is also a nice addition.

Jenna Russell is exceptional as Maureen Fry, particularly moving in her rendition of “Tin of Soup for One.” Mark Addy portrays Harold with a touching vulnerability and genuine humanity, making his emotional and physical struggles deeply felt. Maggie Service is both adaptable and warm as Queenie, and Noah Mullins impresses in their West End debut as both The Balladeer and Harold’s son.

Prepare to be deeply moved by Act Two – it’s both heartbreaking and inspiring. The play culminates in a stunning finale that left the audience speechless, followed by a well-deserved standing ovation.

The stage show based on ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ is deeply heartfelt, beautifully reflecting the emotional depth of Passenger’s songs and the cast’s remarkable storytelling through music.

As a film lover, I’d say Harold Fry is a really special movie. It’s got this lovely blend of upbeat folk music, genuine humor, moments that really hit you emotionally, and it’s just beautifully made. It reminded me a little of Fisherman’s Friends in its spirit, but with the kind of emotional depth you see in something like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It’s incredibly moving and, honestly, heartbreaking at times, but in a way that leaves you feeling hopeful. It’s about a man walking across the country after a terrible loss – his son – and it’s a powerful reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when life feels impossibly hard. It’s a film that really sticks with you, urging you to never give up.

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When and where can I see The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry?

You can see ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End, but only until April 18th – it’s a limited run!

Authors

Perry O’Bree

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2026-02-12 13:34