Overview
A gripping tale of courage and conviction in the face of government secrecy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- urgent
- serious
- suspenseful
- historical drama night
- political film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Steven Spielberg's urgent historical drama for its timely defense of press freedom, strong ensemble performances, and polished direction, while noting that its messaging can be overtly familiar.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Washington Post offices, press operations, and editorial meetings provide the film's central arena for conflict over publication.
Daniel Ellsberg's copying of classified documents and the Post's decision whether to publish turn government secrecy into an ethical crisis.
Kay Graham must assume authority as publisher while facing doubts from advisers, executives, and the broader political establishment.
Typewriters, printing presses, telephone calls, production floors, and rapidly circulating documents create the film's tactile 1970s atmosphere.
Films like The Post, and why
All the President's Men
shared historical journalism drama, investigative reporting, institutional pressure, and defense of press freedom
Spotlight
shared newsroom investigation, procedural tension, ethical responsibility, and fact-based political drama
Frost/Nixon
shared true-story political drama focused on executive power, public accountability, and consequential journalism
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Release Date
- 2017-12-22
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (5032)
Cast
- Meryl Streep
- Tom Hanks
- Sarah Paulson
- Bob Odenkirk
- Tracy Letts
- Bradley Whitford
- Bruce Greenwood
- Matthew Rhys
- Alison Brie
- Carrie Coon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- History Vault, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Post about?
- A newspaper publisher risks her paper and personal legacy to publish the Pentagon Papers against government threats.
- What is The Post like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Post as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Post violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Post.
- What did critics think of The Post?
- Critics broadly praised Steven Spielberg's urgent historical drama for its timely defense of press freedom, strong ensemble performances, and polished direction, while noting that its messaging can be overtly familiar.
- Which films are like The Post?
- Films with a similar feel include All the President's Men, Spotlight, and Frost/Nixon.
- How long is The Post?
- The Post runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Post?
- In United States, The Post streams on History Vault, Cinemax Amazon Channel, Cinemax Apple TV channel.
