Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring docu about PM Jacinda Ardern; language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
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Prime Minister
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In PRIME MINISTER, cameras follow Jacinda Ardern from around 2016 to 2024. Ardern becomes New Zealand's 40th prime minister in 2017, and holds office until 2023. Along with getting to know Ardern better, audiences will also get a master class from Ardern throughout in how to lead, govern, and "do politics" in this divided world.
Is It Any Good?
This documentary ends up being a master class in "how to do politics," with Jacinda Ardern at the helm. Most of Prime Minister involves behind-the-scenes looks at Ardern simply doing her job: reading, studying, talking to supporters, giving speeches, holding her own at press conferences, responding to horrible tragedies and terrorist attacks, working to get assault rifles banned and to get women the right to abortions, and more. Following her rise to becoming New Zealand's 40th prime minister, the documentary spans an incredible 8-year-plus period that saw Ardern become prime minister while she was pregnant and then a first-time mother. Facing numerous sexist criticisms and doubts about her capacity and ability to perform the duties the role of prime minister requires, Ardern professionally and decisively handles her doubters with ease.
Sadly, despite Ardern's efforts that quite demonstrably saved thousands of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, many in her nation turned on her, with help from increasingly loud anti-masking and anti-vaccination rhetoric and messages coming from the United States. However, the global community has recognized since (and during her tenure as prime minister) Ardern's leadership with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard in 2022 and a Damehood in 2024 (Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit). In the end, this film provides wonderful testimony of how an incredibly smart, kind, thoughtful, considerate, and caring person like Ardern can lead, inspire, and make the world a better place.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in documentaries. Did any of the violence in Prime Minister surprise you? How do you feel about the rioters and their behavior?
How does Jacinda Ardern show compassion, integrity, and courage? When facing tough and often irrational opposition, how does she handle these situations?
How do you feel about the way the film ends? Are you disappointed, relieved, happy, sad?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2025
- Cast : Jacinda Ardern , Clarke Gayford , Neve Gayford , Ernest Shackleton
- Directors : Lindsay Utz , Michelle Walshe
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : HBO Documentary Films
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement , Climate change , Gender equality , Reproductive access ) , Family Stories ( Moms ) , History ( Biopic )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Integrity
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 22, 2025
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