Peterloo

Set in the grim days after the Industrial Revolution, Peterloo follows a day of mass assembly in Manchester that swells with hopes for reform. Leigh centers ordinary people across a city where poverty and political pressure press from every side. The film tracks a diverse range of speakers, workers and families who travel to St Peter's Field to petition Parliament and broaden the fragile rights of citizens. As the crowd grows and voices rise, a tense mood settles over the field, mirroring the fragility of the era. What begins as solidarity becomes a crucible that tests loyalties to each other and to a nation on the brink.

Directed by Mike Leigh, Peterloo reimagines the 1819 rally through interwoven stories of workers, reformers and families. The production foregrounds a historically charged moment with Leigh's humanist lens, blending field scenes and courtroom voices to illuminate the social forces at play. The ensemble voices a broad community, from tradesmen to families affected by the upheaval.

Peterloo's worldwide box office came in at about 2,153,029 dollars against a reported budget of 18 million. The film found a smaller audience outside festival and art house circuits, reflecting its niche historical appeal and the challenges of releasing a historical drama to broad audiences.

There were no major awards or nominations reported for Peterloo, signaling that it did not become a focal point of the awards circuit. The film's reception centered on its scope and moral questions rather than competitive accolades.

Critics generally noted Leigh's restrained epic approach that keeps focus on people rather than politicians, exploring themes of political disenfranchisement, poverty and state authority. The film raises questions about protest and reform, the cost of civic participation, and the moment when power meets popular demand in a nation on the move. Some reviewers highlighted the visual textures and sound design as a way to feel the period.