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The film behind the “scariest movie” headline is Orwell: 2+2=5, Raoul Peck’s documentary about George Orwell—not a horror movie. It connects Orwell’s life and writing to archival and contemporary images, making a case about power, truth and authoritarianism that can feel unsettling because it asks viewers to recognize those warnings in the present.
What is Orwell: 2+2=5?
Written and directed by Raoul Peck, Orwell: 2+2=5 is a documentary about Orwell, his work and the ideas that continue to shape debates about political power and truth. Jigsaw Productions says the film was made in collaboration with the Orwell Estate and that Damian Lewis voices Orwell. It runs 119 minutes, according to Jigsaw Productions.
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The title echoes the deliberately false equation associated with Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. The film is not a straightforward adaptation of that novel; it uses Orwell’s broader life and writing as the basis for its documentary argument.
Why call a documentary the scariest movie of 2025?
“Scariest” comes from the framing of a Rolling Stone Australia headline, not a genre classification. The film is listed as a documentary, biography and history title, rather than horror.
#1 Best Overall
- Author: George Orwell.
- Publisher: Signet Classic
- Pages: 328
- Publication Date: 1961-01-01
- Edition: Large type / Large print
The unsettling effect comes from the subject and the connections Peck draws. The IFC Center description notes that the film combines historical clips, readings from Orwell’s diary, cinematic references and present-day footage. The Associated Press review likewise describes a biographical portrait joined to a contemporary picture of power and truth. Those parallels are Peck’s documentary argument; “scariest” is an evaluative description, not an objective ranking.
When was it released, and how long is it?
The U.S. limited theatrical release was October 3, 2025, with NEON as distributor, according to Rotten Tomatoes. The film is about two hours long: Jigsaw lists 119 minutes, while IFC Center lists 120 minutes.
Where can you watch it?
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists subscription streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, as well as digital rental or purchase through Fandango. Those options are not guaranteed everywhere: availability can change over time and differs by region, so check the services in your country for the current listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to read alongside the film
Nineteen Eighty-Four is a natural companion if the documentary prompts you to explore Orwell’s writing. The film, however, is a documentary about the writer and his ideas, not a screen version of the novel.
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