A gripping political wartime drama that captivated critics and audiences alike is now available to stream on Netflix – and it’s being praised for its emotional weight, historical significance, and stellar acting across the board.
Set during a critical juncture in the Second World War, Darkest Hour follows Winston Churchill in his earliest days as Prime Minister, as he faces mounting pressure to negotiate peace with Nazi Germany.
With France collapsing, British troops stranded at Dunkirk, and the threat of invasion looming, Churchill must convince both Parliament and the public that resistance – not surrender – is the only option.
Released in 2017 and directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice), the film earned acclaim for its tension-filled storytelling and authentic period design. While it doesn’t feature large-scale battle scenes, the drama is firmly rooted in the war genre through its exploration of leadership under siege and the psychological toll of decision-making in crisis.
Its narrative runs parallel to the events of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, offering a political perspective on the same historical moment.
At the heart of the film is Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Churchill – widely regarded as a career-defining performance. Oldman, who underwent hours of daily prosthetic work to transform into the wartime leader, won an Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.
However, audiences have been quick to note that the film’s strength goes beyond just one performance. On film reviewing platform Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer wrote: “Inspiring, beautiful, super good acting of everyone – not only Gary Oldman. After two hours I wanted another two.”
Several recent reviews echo this sentiment. “The acting is phenomenal, the pacing is perfect. A riveting true story, expertly told,” one user shared, while another said: “Even without Gary’s performance, this would still be a worthy watch.
The ensemble cast – including Kristin Scott Thomas as Clementine Churchill and Lily James as Churchill’s secretary – received praise for grounding the film in personal, human perspectives.
Although some creative liberties were taken, the film largely stays true to the political events and anxieties of May 1940. “There are minor tweaks to the actual history,” one viewer acknowledged, “but the overall fear of being alone to face the Nazi invasion is incredibly accurate.”
Darkest Hour earned six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won two. It was also recognised for its makeup, hairstyling, and production design, which helped recreate the war rooms and chambers of Westminster.
Darkest Hour is now streaming on Netflix.