SURGEON, THE

(director/writer: Roshan Sethi; cinematographer: Nikolaus Summerer; editor: Sabrina Pitre; music: James Ó Ceallaigh; cast: Michelle Yeoh (Dr. Eliza Lim), Martin Freeman (Sean), Laurie Davidson (Ben), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Cole), Joseph Mydell (Bill); Runtime: 92; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Diarmaid McGrath, Tim Headington, Lia Buman, Neil Shah, Steve Klinsky, Adam Kolbrenner, John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman; Sony Pictures; 2026-USA/Ireland)

“Cheeky pulp action pic on a doctor doing unorthodox medical procedures on a gangster.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
 
Dr. Roshan Sethi (“A Nice Indian Boy”/”7 Days”) is the medical doctor writer-director of this cheeky pulp action pic on a doctor doing unorthodox medical procedures tale.

When the 64-year-old world-renown surgeon, Dr. Eliza Lim (Michelle Yeoh), operates the rock band Thin Lizzy plays. Preparing to retire after 40 years, Eliza is kidnapped by the Russian mob and forced to operate on their terminally ill mob boss, Sean (Martin Freeman). The Russian henchman Cole (Yuri Kolokolnikov) watches closely to make sure she saves him. The doctor realizes she’s in deep trouble and unlikely to survive no matter what she does, so she uses her medical skills to survive.

The viewer is treated to a gory number of medical procedures of the bad guys getting what they deserve, as the doctor weaponizes the body organs of her patient in ways that are creative, funny and disgusting. The operating room scenes are amazing if you got the stomach for it.

It played at the Toronto Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 10/12/2026  GRADE: A-
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