Orwell: 2+2=5 is a documentary written and directed by Raoul Peck, set for release across French theaters on February 25, 2026. Previewed in the Cannes Première section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film continues the Haitian director's ongoing exploration of powerful historical figures. Peck's previous notable works include Lumumba, mort d’un prophète, I Am Not Your Negro, and more recently, Ernest Cole, photographer. The documentary features Damian Lewis providing the voiceover for the British writer.
In 1949, George Orwell completed his groundbreaking novel 1984, which would go on to become his most famous work and a defining political classic of the 20th century. As his health declined, the writer spent his final months amid heightened ideological tensions, at a time when the world was reshaping itself in the aftermath of World War II. The film delves into this pivotal period, exploring how Orwell’s ideas were influenced by the brutal realities of totalitarianism, propaganda, and the distortion of language.
Through archival footage, texts, and a historical perspective, Orwell: 2+2=5 explores the core concepts introduced in 1984 and Animal Farm: doublethink, newspeak, constant surveillance, and thoughtcrime. The documentary sheds light on how these ideas, conceived in the 1930s and 1940s, still resonate in today’s societies, facing disinformation and creeping authoritarianism.
At the official Cannes presentation, Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Festival de Cannes, highlighted the film’s contemporary relevance, describing it as a work that questions the enduring significance of Orwell’s warnings in today’s political and media landscape. This selection in Cannes Première signifies a significant new acknowledgment of Raoul Peck’s work on the international stage.
The documentary continued its journey through various festivals, including the Deauville American Cinema Festival, where it was featured in the American Doc Stories section. True to his approach, Raoul Peck blends historical analysis with a political perspective on current events, supported by a well-structured narrative and in-depth archival research.
With its analytical and thought-provoking tone, Orwell: 2+2=5 appeals to viewers interested in the history of ideas, political literature, and auteur documentaries. The film continues the director's exploration, consistently engaging with prominent intellectual figures and examining their lasting influence in today’s world.
Orwell: 2+2=5
Film | 2026
Release in theaters: February 25, 2026
Documentary | Duration: 2h00
Directed by Raoul Peck | Starring Damian Lewis
Original title: Orwell: 2+2=5
Countries: France, United States
Looking back on the final months of George Orwell and the enduring relevance of his visionary work, Orwell: 2+2=5 offers a profound reflection on the fragility of democracies and the power of language, fitting within the tradition of Raoul Peck’s political and documentary cinema.
To extend your cinema experience, check out the February movie releases, discover the must-see films right now, and explore our selection of noteworthy documentaries of the year.
