The Fifth Estate

The story of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his mission to expose the secrets of governments and the corporate world is recounted as a lively thriller in this engrossing film. Receiving confidential information through a secure online platform, Assange rails against authority, trying to stay one step ahead of his pursuers and living in constant fear for his life. But he also faces conflict within his own organisation. Director Bill Condon references several other real-life screen dramas, most notably All the President's Men, The Social Network and Zero Dark Thirty, finding intrigue and tension in incidents that dominated world headlines. Cumberbatch gives a towering, compelling performance as Assange, although viewers may find themselves reminded of his TV portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, another driven and obsessive figure lacking in basic social skills.