"Prime Minister" is a must watch, giving viewers intimate access to Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's 4oth Prime Minister
- The Real Perspectives
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Reel Perspectives
October 2, 2025
"Prime Minister" is a captivating documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is now available exclusively on HBO Max. The film offers a fascinating glimpse into Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's 40th Prime Minister, who unexpectedly became the leader of the opposition party just weeks before the national election.
Directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz, the documentary premiered on September 30 on HBO MAX and provides an intimate, behind the scenes look at her administration and private life. The documentary follows Ardern over the course of seven years, offering viewers unparalleled access as she is catapulted to the top of New Zealand politics, becomes a global political icon, resigns from office, and continues to champion the fight against isolationism, fear, and the distortion of truth. Intimate home footage shot by her husband and audio interviews from her time in office give viewers an unfiltered window into her years in power.
"Prime Minister" offers a captivating portrayal of Jacinda Ardern, showcasing her as an extraordinary and inspirational leader who led her country with compassion and integrity, faced with significant challenges. Her effective response to a mass shooting in Christchurch in 2019, a volcanic eruption that killed 22 people, and then the global pandemic of COVID-19 that arguably made her approach a shining example of her leadership.
At just 37 years old, in 2017, after becoming Prime Minister and having just learning she was pregnant, she would become the second head of state in history to give birth while in office. Ardern quickly became one of the most recognizable leaders globally. In private, she struggled with new motherhood and proving herself to a public skeptical of female leadership, she resigned from office in January 2023, shocking her supporters and critics alike.
The documentary expertly navigates the complexities and challenges of leading a country, but more importantly, it provides viewers with insight into the woman behind the role of Prime Minister. An empathetic and courageous woman who led her country with dignity, yet with vulnerability as the layers are peeled back to reveal, with unexpected emotion, a woman tasked with leading her country with nothing but the best of intentions, while being scrutinized to unprecedented levels, a level no male politician would ever have faced.
"Prime Minister" is a thought-provoking and revealing film that highlights Ardern's personal journey, allowing her to reflect candidly on the past - a rare opportunity provided by few global leaders. Long after the credits roll, viewers are left with a sense of optimism and inspiration, with a clear understanding of what positive leadership should look like and why it is more essential and crucial in today's world.
"Prime Minister" is now streaming on HBO Max.
Additional credits: Magnolia Pictures, HBO Documentary Films, CNN Films, and Madison Wells present PRIME MINISTER, a Dark Doris production in association with Divergent Pictures. Directed by Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz; produced by Cass Avery, Clarke Gayford, Leon Kirkbeck, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, and Katie Peck; executive produced by Chris Matson and Michael Cleaver; edited by Grace Zahrah and Enat Sidi.
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