Brexit: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: January 19, 2019

Summary: The dramatic look at the 2016 Vote Leave campaign led by Dominic Cummings (Benedict Cumberbatch) that resulted in the British voting to exit the European Union was directed by Toby Haynes.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

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Critic Reviews

Darren Franich

Jan 14, 2019

[Cumberbatch's] fussy performance comes with some grating Sherlockian tics: voice-over, imaginary sequences, the recurring sound of British earth moaning. But this fascinating first-draft-of-history thriller captures the tragic complexity, techno-paranoia and Orwellian absurdity of the Brexit vote. [18 Jan 2019, p.50]

Troy Patterson

Jan 18, 2019

It’s a crisp political-messaging procedural, outlining a triumph of data over knowledge and tribal fear over human reason. ... Brexit is nicely ambiguous as to whether Cummings is a misguided genius or simply a talented opportunist, and Cumberbatch is excellent at conveying the lonely monomania of a man stubbornly devoted to principles that only he recognizes. Read full review

Lorraine Ali

Jan 22, 2019

The film does an impressive job explaining the complicated operation while still delivering a fast-paced and entertaining story, although figuring out who all the parliament and political players are here may be a bit harder to follow for American viewers, Boris Johnson and his tousled mop aside. Read full review

Amy Glynn

Jan 17, 2019

Reviewer Me says it’s entertaining, Cumberbatch is great, the script is pretty good. Philosopher Me still has a lot of questions. Read full review

Alex McLevy

Jan 18, 2019

Graham’s script captures the nuances of Britain’s roiling identity crisis with deft insight, and the whole thing is packaged in such an enjoyably crowd-pleasing way that its flaws linger without dragging the proceedings down. It’s reductive and ham-fisted in its direction, sure, but still makes for a breezily engaging tale. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Jan 18, 2019

What Brexit deftly captures is how Cummings sensed a growing majority of disappointment in his own country before the opposition knew how to bring those people back to their side. ... There are times when the McKay-esque style works against Brexit, making it feel flashier than it needed to be. I found Brexit most interesting in its calmer beats. Read full review

Daniel D'Addario

Jan 16, 2019

Brexit’s problem isn’t that it is too flip about recent history. It’s that it takes every possible branch of history seriously, and doesn’t do the work of discerning which ones matter more. Read full review

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User Reviews

declanmore

Feb 7, 2019

Brexit is the gospel truth (and nothing but the truth) about Brexit and the UK today, and about how easy it is to manipulate people and how easy it is to make them fanatical about a cause they would never embrace if they had not been deceived. British people gone completely crazy - thatBrexit is the gospel truth (and nothing but the truth) about Brexit and the UK today, and about how easy it is to manipulate people and how easy it is to make them fanatical about a cause they would never embrace if they had not been deceived. British people gone completely crazy - that should be an alternative title. A "must see" for every sociologist, politician, priest, philosopher and a TOK teacher.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

nilsdresemann

Jan 23, 2019

A thrilling movie with a Cumberbatch performance we haven't seen in quite some time. The only downside is that the Question "Why he did it" is not really answered.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

AntonX2

Feb 5, 2019

I saw this movie mostly by accident -- mostly because it started playing after something else I was watching on HBO ended. I was about to turn it off when I decided to give it a few minutes. I'm glad I did.

Knowing the end result only enriches your viewing, especially as you witness theI saw this movie mostly by accident -- mostly because it started playing after something else I was watching on HBO ended. I was about to turn it off when I decided to give it a few minutes. I'm glad I did.

Knowing the end result only enriches your viewing, especially as you witness the "Remain" side scramble unsuccessfully for an idea -- any idea! -- that would resonate with voters. The most chilling moment was when the "Remain" strategists finally come to realize that this was a campaign 20+ years in the making, and only now are they beginning to catch up.

"Brexit" moves along at a steady clip, doesn't drag, and is worth a watch. Sometimes I wish they would have gone deeper in to the specifics of strategies, but the general idea of the movie is meant to fill in the holes. As a first take on the events, it's absolutely watchable and recommended.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Jan 19, 2019

Take Control. Take Responsibility.

Brexit: The Uncivil War Haynes's command over the controversial political upset is a compelling anthology that has its own rhythm. Such genre features often are cornered by its too-much-mechanical plot which makers tries to balance it through humor orTake Control. Take Responsibility.

Brexit: The Uncivil War

Haynes's command over the controversial political upset is a compelling anthology that has its own rhythm. Such genre features often are cornered by its too-much-mechanical plot which makers tries to balance it through humor or simplifying the terms, but Haynes doesn't compromise on or for anything which is his major strength. He goes right into the middle of the battle and tackles its husky content out through narrowing it down as a step to a constructive ladder. And climbing its way up with a ferocious pace and sharp script, Haynes never takes its content for granted. Probably, because Graham's hard work is clearly visible among those dancing words on paper.

When a sort-of-biography as such is to be told in a dramatic narrative tone which may not have any accurate source to rely upon completely, the content either grows too thin or it loses its audience with the insights of these dark rooms which is basically jibber-jabber to the viewers. Graham's script is more glorifying than it arguable would have been, he has clearly written a film that is of a sport genre.

The way Cumberbatch is "out of the game" and the way his methods are edgy, the mythical persona he is attached, the specific confidant team he works along with, his nature to go outside the law, his tactics to seeks out the loopholes and of course his charisma and intelligence to knock anyone out of the room; these characteristics that are revealed pretty much within first few minutes to help capture our attention. And once you're in, Haynes keeps you at the brisk of your seat with revealing unexpected cards from under his sleeves. To be fair, it has a typical textbook structure, but since it is to-the-point and busy in its own business, the stakes and the triumph is scored perpetually by the makers.

Cumberbatch portraying a real persona, is in his A game, primarily, for the type of shoes he is allotted to fit in. The bitter tongue or ego towards his own intelligence or a fast-talking witty guy, this already been-there-done-that work from him helps enormously for him to convince us. And whilst there is a lot of Sherlock in him, Cumberbatch has still managed to take the heat out from him and map out the difference with very definite acts.

And since this is a one man show, there isn't much for him to rely upon any supporting cast; not that he needs it, this around ninety minutes of journey goes by way too fast than anticipated. Among many highlighting bits, one of the best, is the one that doesn't contain Cumberbatch but his impact speaks volume of his presence, Kinnear's meeting that goes haywire is brilliantly executed. As much as effervescent the film is about its material, it wisely tones down the euphoric energy to gut punch its viewers for a wake up call in its last act. Brexit: The Uncivil War is a witty well constructed cinema that is amiable to the genre and never attempts to grasp something beyond its game; a wise move.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Seasons & Episodes

73

Series Overview
Season 1

73
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 19, 2019
- No episode information is currently available for this season