Darkest Hour

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.

85%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 300

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 13,744
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Movie Info

During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds. Directed by Joe Wright, DARKEST HOUR is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill's courage to lead changed the course of world history.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for some thematic material)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Joe Wright
  • Written By:
    Anthony McCarten
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $28,086,332
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Focus Features

Cast

Gary Oldman
as Winston Churchill
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Clementine Churchill
Stephen Dillane
as Viscount Halifax
Ronald Pickup
as Neville Chamberlain
Ben Mendelsohn
as King George VI
Lily James
as Elizabeth Nel

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Critic Reviews for Darkest Hour

All Critics (300) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (254) | Rotten (46)

  • Oldman delivers the greatest-hit speeches not just with mastery of cadence but with enough raw power to make the exceedingly familiar sound fresh.

    Jan 12, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Matthew Norman

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic

  • Oldman is sheer joy in a role which transcends an otherwise uneven affair.

    Jan 10, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Trevor Johnston

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • "Darkest Hour" is a straightforward, day-by-day depiction of world-changing events, told with meticulous simplicity.

    Dec 18, 2017 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Moira MacDonald

    Seattle Times
    Top Critic

  • And yet for all that telling about how it was, the film feels much more like happy fantasy than detailed history, a fond look back on the lead-up to a moment of moral righteousness.

    Dec 15, 2017 | Rating: 0/5 | Full Review…

    Matthew Lickona

    San Diego Reader
    Top Critic

  • Churchill, by way of Darkest Hour, hands the actor some of the best speeches of his career, and Oldman brings them vividly to life.

    Dec 14, 2017 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Gary Thompson

    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic

  • "Darkest Hour" is a one man show for Oldman. And what a show it is.

    Dec 8, 2017 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

    Adam Graham

    Detroit News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (300)

Audience Reviews for Darkest Hour

  • Sep 23, 2018
    Gary Oldman leads the cast in the dramatic World War II film Darkest Hour. After Neville Chamberlain is ousted, Winston Churchill is selected to be the new Prime Minister of England, and as Europe continues to fall to Hitler increasing pressure is placed on Churchill to negotiate a peace settlement. Oldman gives a remarkable performance and is backed by a strong supporting cast, including Lily James and Ben Mendelsohn. And director Joe Wright does an impressive job at creating tension and suspense. The sets and costumes are also especially well-done, giving an authentic feel for the time period. The Darkest Hour is a fascinating look at one of the most perilous moments of World War II when England's will was tested.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 05, 2018
    Gary Oldman delivers another great performance but in a superficial film that doesn't even try to escape the typical clichés found in so many biographies. Full review on filmotrope. com
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Aug 02, 2018
    One of the greatest films you will ever see. An absolute masterpiece and one of the best films ever made.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
  • Mar 18, 2018
    In what's been a quiet couple of weeks since the Academy Awards, I decided to see how Gary Oldman won his piece of gold for playing one of not 'the' greatest political leaders that'd ever lived. Despite having a heavy focus on what Churchill was like as a leader, Oldman's performance is masterclass as if he's the one thing driving the very plot of the film more than any other character involved. Nonetheless, it's an incredibly fine film where Oldman has delivered a performance worthy of an Oscar as well as the sturdily fine robust direction and production with enough scripting material to cover anything that affect the very person Churchill was during the dark and turbulent time of Britain's "Darkest Hour". Check this one out at your own will, even if it's just for the unrecognizable and outstanding portrayal of Churchill Gary Oldman puts on, but more importantly to show what great leadership then could do for our generation now.
    Luke E Super Reviewer
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