In cinemas November 6
Prime Minister is an intimate and deeply human portrait of one of the world’s most remarkable modern leaders — Jacinda Ardern. Directed by Lindsay Utz, acclaimed for her editing work on American Factory and Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, and Michelle Walshe, known for Chasing Great, this compelling documentary is also produced by Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford, who captures much of the story through home videos filmed from 2017 to her resignation in 2023.
The film opens in August 2017, when Ardern, at just 37, unexpectedly takes the reins of New Zealand’s opposition party. Within two months, she becomes Prime Minister, and only weeks later discovers she’s pregnant — a historic moment that would see her become just the second world leader to give birth while in office.
Through intimate home footage, audio diaries, and candid interviews, Utz and Walshe craft a vérité-style narrative that feels both personal and cinematic. We see Ardern at her most human — a woman juggling motherhood, marriage, and monumental leadership challenges — all while being under the relentless global spotlight.
What makes Prime Minister so powerful is its emotional honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the toll of leadership: the sleepless nights, the public scrutiny, and the heavy responsibility of guiding a nation through moments that tested the world — from the Christchurch mosque massacre to COVID-19 lockdowns, and later, disinformation-fueled protests that shook the core of democracy.
Utz and Walshe’s direction is both sensitive and sharp. They offer a portrait that transcends politics — showing Ardern not just as a leader, but as a mother, partner, and woman navigating impossible expectations. The access Gayford’s personal footage provides makes the experience feel authentic and raw, drawing viewers closer to her inner world than any press conference or campaign ever could.
The directors’ statement captures the heart of the film’s message: in a world conditioned to equate strength with stoicism, Ardern led with kindness and empathy — traits too often dismissed in politics. The filmmakers ask, What does leadership look like when humanity is at its core? Through Ardern’s journey, we see that compassion can indeed coexist with courage.
By the time the credits roll, Prime Minister leaves us reflecting on leadership in crisis — and longing for more leaders like Jacinda Ardern. In an era of political noise and division, this film stands as both a love letter to empathy and a call for change.
Verdict: ★★★ half
A compelling, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted chronicle of leadership defined by grace, courage, and compassion. Prime Minister reminds us that empathy isn’t weakness — it’s the strength the world needs most.
