Yahoo Movies Viewers liken Benedict Cumberbatch Brexit drama to 'a horror movie'
Brexit: The Uncivil War aired on Channel 4 last night, the much-hyped drama centring on Vote Leave strategist Dominic Cummings, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
But it may be that with the current churning chaos in government, the timing of broadcast was somewhat misjudged.
Some viewers likened it to a ‘horror film’, rather than a drama, while others branded it simply ‘depressing’ and ‘too soon’.
Directed by Toby Hanyes, and written by James Graham, Cumberbatch took to lead as Cummings, while Lee Boardman played Aaron Banks, Richard Goulding played Boris Johnson and Paul Ryan played Nigel Farage.
This is a horror film. #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— Nick Meadows (@nrmeadows) January 7, 2019
I really can’t watch this. Horrifying. #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— Sharon Ward (@ShazzaB) January 7, 2019
I won't lie…..this all feels a little too soon!! #BrexitTheUncivilWar
— tippytupps (@tippytupps) January 7, 2019
Turning off #BrexitTheUncivilWar as it’s making me sad. Ignorance is bliss eh.
— t o m (@td_rules) January 7, 2019
#BrexitTheUncivilWar was an incredible watch but felt like something we should be watching in about twenty years looking back with disbelief, not actually living through it with no end in sight.
— Tommo Walters (@Tommyblx) January 8, 2019
Thought #BrexitTheUncivilWar wasn’t about being pro remain or pro leave at all. It was about capturing how campaigns turned us against each other. And it captured it perfectly
— Kai Gittos (@GittosKai) January 8, 2019
Sarah Elliott, the wife of Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliott, played by John Heffernan in the drama, tweeted her criticisms throughout the air time.
Now after a second watch, I give a 5. I think the only character seriously tackled by the writer was Dom Cummings, and so doesn’t give the full story.
— Sarah Elliott (@SarahBSmithVA) January 7, 2019
“(Vote Leave) is in court contesting all these false allegations right now,” she added.
“I feel the writer James Graham let down the viewer here by not explaining all the facts.”
The critics’ reviews were split, unsurprisingly.
The Guardian called it ‘superficial and irresponsible’, considering that there are still legal proceedings taking place into campaign contributions.
“It is incumbent upon [writer Graham], in an era besieged and almost defined by misinformation, not to add to the chaos. That duty was not clearly fulfilled,” wrote Lucy Mangan.
The Independent, meanwhile, called it a ‘gripping second draft of history’.
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