Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- righteous
- oppressive
- demanding
- historical film night
- political cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film politically forceful and richly detailed, while noting that its righteous anger and demanding, dialogue-heavy scale can overpower its narrative and emotional depth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The rally at St Peter's Field centers demands for parliamentary representation and democratic reform against entrenched authority.
The film repeatedly stages speakers, crowds, processions, and the enormous assembly of more than 60,000 protesters.
Working-class poverty in Manchester is contrasted with the opulence and political power of the governing class.
Henry Hunt shares narrative space with Nellie, Joshua, Joseph, Mary, Robert, protesters, journalists, and government officials.
Films like Peterloo, and why
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
shared historical drama form, political repression, and working-class social observation
Suffragette
shared period political drama, mass protest, and conflict between popular reform and state power
Lincoln
shared epic historical reconstruction, institutional violence, and critique of entrenched privilege
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Leigh
- Release Date
- 2018-11-01
- Runtime
- 155 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (161)
Cast
- Rory Kinnear
- Maxine Peake
- Pearce Quigley
- David Moorst
- Rachel Finnegan
- Tom Meredith
- Simona Bitmate
- Robert Wilfort
- Karl Johnson
- Sam Troughton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Peterloo about?
- Mike Leigh’s monumental historical drama transforms the Peterloo Massacre into a searing portrait of democratic protest crushed by state power.
- What is Peterloo like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Peterloo as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Peterloo violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Peterloo as graphic.
- What did critics think of Peterloo?
- Critics broadly found the film politically forceful and richly detailed, while noting that its righteous anger and demanding, dialogue-heavy scale can overpower its narrative and emotional depth.
- Which films are like Peterloo?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Suffragette, and Lincoln.
- How long is Peterloo?
- Peterloo runs 155 minutes.
- Where can I watch Peterloo?
- In United States, Peterloo streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
