Robert De Niro's New Movie Dirty Grandpa Is Getting Mauled

If you’re of a sensitive disposition – or still hold Robert De Niro in some esteem – then look away now.

His latest movie ‘Dirty Grandpa’ is getting perhaps the worst critical savaging of any movie in the veteran actor’s career.

Starring opposite Zac Efron, it finds De Niro playing a delinquent, recently-widowed grandfather who tricks his grandson (Efron) into driving him to Florida to party, just days ahead of his wedding.

So far, there’s not a single positive review, according to aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s sitting with a relatively rare 0% approval rating at the time of publishing.

Mike Ryan for Uproxx was unequivocal in his opinion of the movie, saying it is 'the worst movie I’ve ever seen in a movie theater’.

In summation, he simply added: “Burn it.”

The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck was equally pained to see De Niro slumming it.

“Whether he needs the money, simply loves to work, or has a strong desire to connect with a younger audience, De Niro really needs to rethink his career priorities,” he says.

“It’s fine for this brilliant actor to indulge his considerable comic gifts, but if he keeps doing crap like this he threatens to undo a legacy forged over decades.”

Screen International’s Wendy Ide says: “It says a lot about this robustly filthy but shambolic comedy that there is a running gag featuring Zac Efron getting repeatedly punched in the scrotum, from behind, by Robert De Niro.

“The shock value of the dialogue – and it is staggeringly rude at times – is neutered by a rambling lack of narrative drive and, ultimately, a sentimental justification that feels disingenuous.”

Noting some more troubling aspects of the narrative, Variety’s Nick Schager added: “This contemptible fiasco is not only comfortable courting laughs through ugly mockery of minorities, but also doesn’t even have the courage of its own crass-as-I-wannabe convictions.

“When Robert De Niro receives his inevitable lifetime achievement Oscar, don’t expect his highlight reel to include a single clip from 'Dirty Grandpa’, a brutally unfunny stab at ribald comedy that stands as the legendary actor’s big-screen nadir.”

Not all the reviews are in yet, so there may be the odd positive thrown in there, but for now at least, 'Bad Grandpa’ appears to be fresh out of luck.

Directed by Dan Mazer, and also starring Aubrey Plaza and Dermot Mulroney, it’s due out in the UK on January 29.

You can check out the trailer below…

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Image credits: Lionsgate