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Season 2 – Small Axe

Play trailer Poster for Season 2 – Small Axe Nov 2020 Drama Other Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 136 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Based on the real-life experiences of London's West Indian community between 1969 and 1982.
Small Axe — Season 2

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A singular viewing experience that perfectly captures a moment in time, Lovers Rock is a lovingly-crafted ode to Black joy.

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Critics Reviews

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Stephanie Zacharek TIME Magazine 01/27/2021
This is the shortest of the films in Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology, but its hypnotic beauty is immeasurable. Go to Full Review
Adam Nayman The Ringer 01/27/2021
The second Small Axe standout is an intimate, largely real-time study of a living-room reggae rager awash in anxious, exuberant sensations, drenched in sweat, and pheromones... Go to Full Review
Jennifer Wilson The New Republic 12/19/2020
Lovers Rock ... could almost be classified as experimental cinema... Go to Full Review
Brendan Cassidy InSession Film 07/09/2024
McQueen should be commended for his work on all five of the Small Axe films (some are better than others, for sure), but Lovers Rock is the most inviting and beautifully crafted. Go to Full Review
Paul Emmanuel Enicola The Movie Buff 07/04/2024
A+
A magnificent piece of cinema that encapsulates an ordinary night to remember, “Lovers Rock” is an acquired taste of a romantic film that demands not to be seen, but experienced. Go to Full Review
Rory Doherty InSession Film 06/13/2024
It was moving, hypnotic, and made me miss parties more than anything. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leaburn O Feb 15 Clearly a love letter to Caribbean reggae infused house parties in London during the 80s. Feels pretty authentic but will appeal more to people for whom this was their cultural millieu. Well made but I couldn’t really relate and you’d have to because it’s a cultural film as opposed to one dripping in drama. Watched in BBC iPlayer. See more William L 01/29/2022 I went in with no expectations apart from McQueen's reputation and came away impressed. Lovers Rock depicts a cultural snowglobe, a single house party that doesn't dive deeply into individual character details so much as it tackles an experience by a range of individuals united by a common thread - the immigrant black identity. It's a trait that is shared but one that is shown not to be the single definitive feature of any of the partygoers, who experience as much discord as they do camraderie. There are a few slight hints at the world outside that does not truly embrace them and drives them to isolated gatherings such as this just to get a sense of belonging, but the film's stock and trade is an immersive atmosphere that takes you away to a moment in time. There may be some moments of repetition that make you wonder how often a single chorus needs to be repeated, but it all serves the larger purpose of being caught up in the moment in one of the few spaces where these characters could feel whole. (3.5/5) See more david f @dfulmer 12/17/2021 Great film about an all-night party and the attendees. See more Ethan T 07/05/2021 You need to have a certain disposition and perspective to enjoy Lovers Rock. I am neither a partier, nor one who grew up in the 1980s, so cannot relate to the events of the short film. Sentimentality aside, the story is nearly bare and the cinematography props the whole experience up by itself. Yeah, some of the musical sequences are fun. Yeah, the camera work strikes a balance between disconcertingly close and endearingly intimate signaling the work of the wonderful McQueen. I just never felt anything. Every character introduction or event, be it a sexual assault, grind circle, or token mean white people, meets with indifference. I have no real feelings towards this project, except for vague respect. The unknown actors and their performances seemed authentic and added a degree of depth, and McQueen poured his talents into bringing this into fruition. For many others, this will be enough for five stars when combined with additional layers that I could not extract. See more 06/23/2021 Este es un gran ejemplo de no ocurre nada, si, pero las vibras See more 03/07/2021 I really loved this. Excellent. Good concept, good execution. Excellent soundtrack. See more Read all reviews
Small Axe — Season 2

My Rating

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 27, 2020 Details
Life After Life 100% 87% Life After Life Watchlist Years and Years 89% 88% Years and Years Watchlist TRAILER for Years and Years The Spy 86% 85% The Spy Watchlist TRAILER for The Spy Somewhere Boy 94% 100% Somewhere Boy Watchlist A Very Royal Scandal 80% 73% A Very Royal Scandal Watchlist TRAILER for A Very Royal Scandal Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Director
Steve McQueen
Executive Producer
Steve McQueen, Rose Garnett, David Tanner, Tracey Scoffield
Screenwriter
Steve McQueen, Courttia Newland
Network
MULTI
Genre
Drama, Other
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Nov 27, 2020