Constantine Costi’s documentary The Golden Spurtle is as warm and wholesome as a bowl of the very thing it spotlights: porridge in all its oaty glory.
Writer & Director: Constantine Costi
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 75′
U.K. Release: September 12, 2025
U.S. Release: TBA
Where to Watch: In cinemas
Even The Golden Spurtle’s title causes intrigue and raises questions. Firstly, what the heck is a spurtle? Secondly, why would anyone make it golden? Constantine Costi’s engaging and welcoming documentary answers all of these questions with a sparkle in its eye, an eccentric grin, and a life-affirming passion for its subject. Like a warm, open-armed embrace, The Golden Spurtle is an eye-opening account of one of the world’s most left-field competitions.
But firstly, let’s answer those questions. A spurtle is a centuries-old Scottish tool used to stir porridge, a must-have for anyone who wants to make the best porridge. Each year, competitors and observers descend on the Scottish highland village of Carrbridge for the World Porridge Championships. The prize? A glorious spurtle-shaped trophy, aptly named The Golden Spurtle. Costi’s documentary follows the build-up and event day of one such final, as the championship now passes three decades in age.
Much like its culinary subject, The Golden Spurtle is a simple, but never simplistic, affair. Traditionally, porridge only consists of oats, water, and salt, but clearly, as the success of the Golden Spurtle shows, the appetite for this beloved dish is still alive and kicking in our present day. Clocking in at 75-minutes, the documentary charts the weeks before the event, following Chieftain and Founder Charlie Miller as he works tirelessly with others to get everything sorted for the big day. The suspense is surprising, considering the low stakes, and when the day of the final does arrive, the stove-centred action is nearly as tense as an episode of The Bear.
What makes The Golden Spurtle such a delightful affair is its strong balancing of tones. Yes, the porridge-making world championship is as bizarre as it sounds, and yes, it attracts a host of eccentric characters. But it is never a mocking nor mean documentary. It treats each subject with compassion and interest, showcasing how this wonderful competition gives Carrbridge residents a chance to showcase their beautiful town once a year. It’s an important part of their community, and a way for people to express their love for porridge—a food that is simple and perhaps underappreciated, but always there to warm you up on a cold day.
The characters are a joy to meet; from Charlie Miller’s dry wit and assertive leadership to the dedication of young Australian chef Toby, there is a buoyant joy to getting to know each and every one of them. There is even time for a villain-of-sorts to be spotlighted in health food CEO Nick, although even by the end of The Golden Spurtle, there is no bad blood between anyone.
Perhaps slightly underwhelming is how little The Golden Spurtle goes into detail around the cooking of the porridge and the rules of the competition; just by looking at the Golden Spurtle website, a Specialty Winner section is mentioned, with a host of bizarre porridge-based recipes. These, sadly, don’t make it into the film. Nevertheless, this is nit-picking in what is otherwise a dreamy documentary—a celebration of community and the simple pleasures of life, mixed with the surprising suspense of the most fearsome competitions. Sit back, relax, and enjoy The Golden Spurtle in all its oaty goodness.
The Golden Spurtle: Movie Plot & Recap
Synopsis:
The Golden Spurtle follows a recent edition of the World Porridge Championship, an annual event where contestants from around the world arrive in a small Scottish village to competitively cook porridge. Past winners and hopeful newcomers are all spotlighted, as are the championship’s many organisers.
Pros:
- Gorgeous cinematography, capturing the interesting people and the beautiful rural highlands
- An excellent mixture of talking-head interviews and suspenseful competition-day action
Cons:
- Almost too brief and fleeting—could go even deeper into the world of porridge
- A slightly bizarre and elongated ending
The Golden Spurtle will be released in UK cinemas from 12 September, 2025.
