A powerful drama set against the backdrop of a Somerset dairy farm is arriving on BBC iPlayer next week, offering viewers a deeply moving cinematic experience.
The Levelling, directed by Hope Dickson Leach, boasts an impressive 94% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Released in 2017, the film stars Ellie Kendrick, known for her role as Meera Reed in HBO’s Game of Thrones, as Clover, a young woman confronting her family’s pain.
Set in the aftermath of the devastating 2014 Somerset floods, the story follows Clover’s return to the family farm after the tragic death of her younger brother. The film delves into themes of grief, reconciliation, and the harsh realities of rural life.
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Critics unanimously praised the movie for its emotional depth and authentic portrayal. Mark Kermode of The Observer described it as “a song of love” amidst bleak circumstances, while Empire Magazine’s David Parkinson hailed its sincere depiction of rural life with “an exceptional sense of place.” The Times’ Kate Muir lauded Kendrick’s “magnetic” performance, capturing a complex mix of loss and tenderness.
Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian called it “a superbly shot and piercingly acted realist tragedy,” and Nigel Andrews of The Financial Times highlighted the film’s haunting, dystopian landscape imagery. ScreenAnarchy’s Shelagh Rowan-Legg praised The Levelling as “a remarkable and confident debut,” echoed by Oliver Lyttelton of The Playlist, who named it one of the year’s best films.
Though the critical acclaim is robust, audience reactions are more mixed, reflected by a 58% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some found the film’s tone bleak and difficult to watch, noting its slow, somber pacing and unresolved narrative threads. Yet others appreciated its subtle, skillful exploration of family dynamics and emotional distance, calling it “absolutely stunning” and “full on quality.”
The Levelling is set to stream on BBC iPlayer from Tuesday, June 10, inviting viewers to experience a poignant, unforgettable story rooted in Somerset’s landscape and spirit.