HyperNormalisation

Adam Curtis pulls back the curtain on the way modern power sells us simple stories while complex realities stay offscreen. The film traces decades of political storytelling that turn truth into a manageable illusion so the public stays compliant even when data contradicts official talk. Using a mosaic of interviews, news footage, and archival history from around the world, HyperNormalisation shows how governments and media craft convenient narratives that fit a picture of the world that feels stable yet is hard to locate in the mess of real events. The result is a dense tour through the politics of illusion where manipulation becomes ordinary and routine. Curtis traces the rise of mass media, the role of propaganda in shaping consent, and the idea that even when people know the stories are constructed, alternatives feel impossible.

Directed by Adam Curtis, HyperNormalisation released in 2016 on BBC platforms. It builds Curtis's signature approach of mixing archival clips and narration to argue that postwar power created simplified myths to govern complex systems. It aired on the BBC in multiple territories and later circulated online for wider audiences worldwide.

The film sparked broad discussions about post truth politics and media control, becoming a reference point in debates on how publics are steered by powerful narratives. Its framing of hypernormalisation helped describe why people accept uncomfortable realities. It has entered classrooms and discussions around media influence.

Critics praised Curtis for his bold montage and provocative argument about how economic and technological forces push societies toward simple myths. The film foregrounds themes of perception versus reality and the fragility of democratic discourse under manufactured consensus. The film also invites viewers to question authority and framing.

While it drew considerable attention in documentary circles and at festivals, HyperNormalisation did not land major nominations or wins. It nonetheless reinforced Adam Curtis's reputation for challenging conventional histories through inventive editing and a wide archive that keeps audiences questioning official accounts.