The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Mank
Entertainment • Film

Mank

Mank is a 2020 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Jack Fincher.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mank is a 2020 American biographical drama film directed by David Fincher and written by Jack Fincher. It follows screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he develops the screenplay for Orson Welles's Citizen Kane. The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 13, 2020, and began streaming on Netflix worldwide on December 4, 2020.

Plot and subject

Mank dramatizes Herman J. Mankiewicz's efforts to complete the screenplay for Citizen Kane while reflecting on Hollywood politics and his relationships with figures such as Orson Welles and William Randolph Hearst. The story is set in 1930s Hollywood and explores the writing of Citizen Kane.

Production

The film was directed by David Fincher and based on an original screenplay by Jack Fincher, who died in 2003. It was produced by Ceán Chaffin, Douglas Urbanski, and Eric Roth.

Release

Mank received a U.S. theatrical release on November 13, 2020, before becoming available worldwide on Netflix on December 4, 2020.

Reception and awards

The film received critical attention for its visual style and performances, and Britannica notes that it earned critical acclaim, with Fincher receiving his third Oscar nomination for best director.

Key facts

  • The film is about Herman J. Mankiewicz's work on the screenplay for Citizen Kane.
  • It was directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by his late father, Jack Fincher.
  • Gary Oldman plays Herman J. Mankiewicz.
  • The story is set in 1930s Hollywood and explores the writing of Citizen Kane.
  • The film premiered in the United States on November 13, 2020, and streamed on Netflix from December 4, 2020.
🍁
Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Mank through Netflix's global streaming release, which made the film widely available in Canada starting December 4, 2020.[1][17]

Frequently asked questions

What is Mank about?
It is about Herman J. Mankiewicz writing the screenplay for Citizen Kane and the Hollywood world around him.
Who directed Mank?
David Fincher directed the film.
Who wrote Mank?
The screenplay was written by Jack Fincher.
Who stars in Mank?
Gary Oldman stars as Herman J. Mankiewicz, with Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, and Tom Burke among the supporting cast.
When was Mank released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on November 13, 2020, and on Netflix worldwide on December 4, 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mank
    Supports: Basic identification, plot premise, director, screenplay, producers, and U.S./Netflix release dates.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mank
    Supports: Film identification, subject matter, critical acclaim, and Oscar nomination note.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mank
    Supports: Director, producers, screenplay, distributor, genre, runtime, and release dates.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/mank
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, and subject matter.