The ‘absorbing’ film was directed by James Strong, who helmed the ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Maxine Peake starred as Anna Politkovskaya in the gripping drama (Image: Words of War / ITV)
ITVX has recently added a film that viewers say will take you on an emotional journey throughout.
Inspired by a compelling true story, Words of War delves into the life of the late Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, played by I Swear actress Maxine Peake.
Anna was a journalist and human rights activist who tried to expose the corruption of Vladimir Putin’s regime, as well as reporting on the conflict in Chechnya.
Alongside Peake, the film also stars Jason Isaacs as her husband, Alexander Politkovsky, and Ciarán Hinds as Dmitry Muratov, her editor at the Novaya Gazeta, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.
Released in 2025, the movie is produced by Sean Penn and directed by James Strong, who also worked on the gripping ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
Who was Anna Politkovskaya?
Anna was a crusading Russian journalist famed for her exposés of corruption and the Chechen war.
From 1999, the investigative journalist traveled to Chechnya almost every month for several years. She took part in the negotiations for Nord-Ost, the 2002 hostage crisis at a Moscow theatre, after the Chechen rebels specifically requested her.
In 2004, she hoped to help resolve the crisis in Beslan, where heavily armed militants held hostages in a school for three days. However, she never made it there; she was poisoned on the plane while en route to Beslan, reports the BBC. Two years later, Anna was murdered in Moscow.
Currently, Words of War has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 89 per cent and has been highly praised by people who have seen it, with many left in tears.
One person described the movie as “Powerful, timely storytelling that should be seen. It’s that good”, while a second wrote: “This film gave me chills. Its historic significance is astoundingly timely. I cannot recommend it enough.”
“This film is so moving and informative, I wish every student, if not all people, would watch this film. It’s so on point to what’s been happening and why it still goes on. Thank you for the reminder of why we need Free Speech and a Free Press”, explained one viewer.
While another added, “Words of War is a must-see. It’s a story that challenges you to think about free speech, from the triumphs and adversities of those that fight for it to the real-world consequences of inaction.”
Words of War is streaming now for free on ITVX
