‘Prime Minister’ – Review
Leadership. Empathy. Resilience. These are the cornerstones of Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz’s Prime Minister, a bold, emotionally charged and deeply human documentary that takes audiences into the eye of New Zealand’s political storm and delivers a powerful, intimate portrait of Jacinda Ardern, one of the most fascinating world leaders of the modern era.
From its opening frames, Prime Minister is a gripping experience. Walshe and Utz pull back the curtain on the inner workings of the Beehive, capturing the moment a young and untested Ardern steps into the spotlight as Labour’s leader following Andrew Little’s resignation in 2017. What follows is a whirlwind ascent — one filled with passion, uncertainty and sheer determination — as Ardern goes from political outsider to the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand in one of the most dramatic elections in recent memory.
What makes Prime Minister so compelling is its honesty. There’s no gloss or political spin here. Walshe and Utz instead frame Ardern as both a leader and a human being, someone who found herself tested in ways no one could have predicted. From the Christchurch Mosque Shooting to the White Island disaster, the documentary thrusts us right into these defining national moments. Through never-before-seen footage and raw behind-the-scenes moments, we witness the weight of leadership as Ardern navigates unimaginable tragedy with empathy and strength.
But Prime Minister isn’t just about crisis management: it’s about life in all its contradictions. One of the film’s most heartfelt sections comes with Ardern’s journey into motherhood, a joyous yet surreal juxtaposition against the constant chaos of political life. These moments — filled with humour, warmth and the odd moment of chaos, show Ardern as more than just a Prime Minister; she’s a daughter, a partner, a mother. It’s here that Walshe and Utz find the humanity behind the public persona, and audiences are reminded of the person beneath the podium.
As the narrative progresses, Prime Minister builds toward its most tension-filled act: the COVID-19 pandemic. The tone shifts into something darker, more claustrophobic, as we relive the uncertainty of lockdowns, the closed borders, and the mounting political and social strain that eventually culminates in the chaotic Wellington protests. The camera captures it all; the exhaustion, the doubt, the relentless scrutiny, and the result is both fascinating and unnerving. In these moments, Ardern’s empathy-led approach collides head-on with the brutal realities of power.
Walshe and Utz’s direction is deft and deeply cinematic, blending political chronicle with emotional storytelling.
The pacing is tight, the editing sharp, and the emotional resonance undeniable. It’s a film that never tells you what to think, but instead allows you to feel, to witness a leader wrestling with history, humanity and herself.
Prime Minister stands as one of 2025’s most significant and affecting documentaries: a thoughtful, complex and profoundly human account of leadership in extraordinary times. Whether you admire or critique Ardern’s politics, there’s no denying the courage, empathy and endurance she brought to her role. This is not just a political documentary; it’s the story of a woman who carried a nation through crisis, and a film that ensures her legacy — for better or worse, will not be forgotten.\
Image: Magnolia Pictures
