Darkest Hour

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Darkest Hour

PG-13

Released Dec 22, 2017

2h 5m

History

Drama

Biography

War

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Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

310 Reviews

83%

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10,000+ Ratings

The fate of Western Europe hangs on Winston Churchill in the early days of World War II. The newly appointed British prime minister must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds. During the next four weeks in 1940, Churchill cements his legacy as his courageous decisions and leadership help change the course of world history.

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Critics Consensus

Darkest Hour is held together by Gary Oldman's electrifying performance, which brings Winston Churchill to life even when the movie's narrative falters.

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Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

Darkest Hour demonstrates the immense courage Churchill had. It doesn't fully absolve and deify him, rather humanizes.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2018

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

I don't want to undermine my admiration for Gary Oldman's performance, but I think the film itself is flawed.

Aug 28, 2018

Full Review

Michael Sragow

Film Comment Magazine

In Darkest Hour, Wright's charged, blustery framework pulls the audience into a distant political landscape. But his approach here is also limiting and nearly wearying.

Mar 8, 2018

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The film builds its mounting prospects of calamity and clashes of dissension with polish and gumption, avoiding many of the dull notes normally saddling most other behind-the-war-room yak-fests.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 7, 2024

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Joe Wright offers up compelling and timely lessons on conviction, persuasion, and the power of bipartisanship – all things our current governments could learn from.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Stirring though the proceedings may sometimes be, Darkest Hour resists absolute immersion so that its audience will notice how much effort went into its making.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 16, 2022

Full Review

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Wes H.

Personally loved this movie. Has a perfect mixture of serious and emotionally charged scenes accompanied by absolutely stunning camera work and visuals. Totally recommend to my fellow history buffs.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/25

Full Review

Jonathan M

Seen this film so many times now, and still love it. Gary Oldman plays such a convincing Winston Churchill, alongside an amazing Lily James as his secretary. The film is captivating throughout and whilst it doesn’t stick entirely to history, it’s enough to keep WW2 fresh in our minds.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/25

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Nick R

The film has it's flaws, but Gary Oldman is phenomenal in this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

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Glafira Regina O

This film is about our world—about the present. It's a reminder that you can't make a deal with the devil, even when you "do not have the cards." Churchill is portrayed as the man who saved the world from Nazism. And indeed, not Stalin, not Roosevelt. In 1940, Stalin was actually Hitler’s ally, and Roosevelt remained neutral. It was Churchill’s determination that saved Britain—and with it, the rest of the world. The film is brilliant, and Gary Oldman's performance is nothing short of masterful. Churchill's accent is conveyed incredibly well.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/14/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I liked the movie, the performance and the getup was amazing. But they only showed few weeks of Churchill's government...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

Full Review

rhonald b

A great film. Until they make Mr. Churchill take the London Underground and speaks with THE COMMON PEOPLE. From that moment on it suddenly becomes a dreadful melodrama. Ruined an otherwise great watch.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

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Joe Wright

Director

Gary Oldman

Winston Churchill

Kristin Scott Thomas

Clementine Churchill

Ben Mendelsohn

King George VI

Lily James

Elizabeth Layton

Ronald Pickup

Neville Chamberlain

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Conquer We Must, Conquer We Shall

2:59

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat

4:06

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - We Shall Fight on the Beaches

4:45

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Churchill & Roosevelt

2:59

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - The People of England

3:12

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Death Before Disarmament

3:26

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Saving Dunkirk

3:00

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - The Campaign of Resistance

3:16

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Subterfuge in the Bunker

2:46

Darkest Hour: Official Clip - Up Your Bum

1:49

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Darkest Hour: Behind the Scenes - Five Weeks

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Darkest Hour: International Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The fate of Western Europe hangs on Winston Churchill in the early days of World War II. The newly appointed British prime minister must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds. During the next four weeks in 1940, Churchill cements his legacy as his courageous decisions and leadership help change the course of world history.

Director: Joe Wright
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten, Douglas Urbanski
Screenwriter: Anthony McCarten
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Working Title Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Material)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $56.3M
Runtime: 2h 5m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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