“Orwell: 2+2=5”

“Orwell: 2+2=5” is a documentary that clearly thinks very highly of itself, and that’s a major part of the problem. Director Raoul Peck takes George Orwell’s literary classic “1984” and stretches it across our modern political and technological anxieties with a seriousness so heavy it sometimes becomes insufferable. The film reeks of self-importance, with a smug, condescending tone that makes it harder to sit through than it should be.

At least the ideas at its core are compelling. Orwell’s warnings about authoritarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth still feel disturbingly relevant in 2025. The archival footage that’s paired with contemporary images drives home how closely today mirrors Orwell’s dystopia. It’s disturbing to say the least.

The big problem is that this isn’t an entertaining documentary. It’s rambling, overtly preachy, and definitely not for casual viewers. If you’re already invested in Orwell’s legacy or Peck’s cerebral, essay-style approach, you’ll find a lot to chew on here. If you’re just looking for an entertaining documentary, prepare for something that feels more like a lecture than a film.

The film feels weighed down by its own sense of importance. Peck doesn’t just want to illuminate Orwell’s relevance, but he wants to announce it, in all caps, with a kind of smug gravitas that borders on sanctimonious. The narration and structure often come across as condescending, as though the audience needs to be scolded into caring.

“Orwell: 2+2=5” sets out to be a grand, definitive statement on George Orwell’s life, writings, and relevance to today’s world and on paper, it’s a great idea. But instead of letting Orwell’s sharp words speak for themselves, the documentary too often layers them with heavy-handed commentary. The result is a film that’s intellectually stimulating but emotionally flat.

By: Louisa Moore