---
title: "Pressure"
year: 2026
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/pressure"
fi1m_id: "pressure"
imdb_id: "tt32547691"
tmdb_id: 1318413
wikidata_id: "Q127698549"
fi1m_score: 78
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 11
published: "2026-09-14"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:22.849085+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Pressure (2026)

Directed by Anthony Maras · 1h 41m · MPA PG-13 · Thriller, History, War, Drama

## Identity

Pressure

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/pressure
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** pressure
- **IMDb ID:** tt32547691
- **TMDB ID:** 1318413
- **Wikidata ID:** Q127698549
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32547691/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1318413, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127698549

**Fi1m score: 78** · Critics 76 from 11 reviews

*In a sentence:* A roomful of generals, and the weather still declines to co-operate

> Andrew Scott makes *Pressure* a tense, rewarding account of the weather decisions before D-Day. The drama is tightly handled and the acting persuasive, though the script makes its case for professional expertise a little too neatly.

## Synopsis

In the hours before D-Day, a wartime decision brings together James Stagg (Andrew Scott) and Dwight ‘Ike’ Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser). Around them are Kay Summersby (Kerry Condon), Irving Krick (Chris Messina) and Bernard ‘Monty’ Montgomery (Damian Lewis). The people caught up in these preparations also include Liz Stagg (Tamsin Topolski), Andrew Carter (Jojo Macari) and Air Marshal Leigh-Mallory (Con O’Neill). General Omar Bradley (Alexander Hanson) and Admiral Bertram Ramsay (Robert Portal) are among the military figures involved as the decision draws near.

## Review

*Pressure* is a good, tightly contained thriller about the difficulty of giving powerful people unwelcome advice. Anthony Maras puts the weather planning before D-Day at the centre of a war film, with Andrew Scott’s James Stagg trying to make scientific judgement count amid military expectation. The question is how anyone reaches a decision when certainty is unavailable and delay has consequences. At 101 minutes, it has the sense to get on with that question, though the writing sometimes makes the case for Stagg rather too easy.

Scott gives Stagg’s determination enough strain to keep him interesting. Small changes of expression suggest the feelings he is working to contain, without making his composure seem effortless. We felt tense watching him suppress his frustration as Stagg stands by an unwelcome forecast. The restraint makes speaking plainly look difficult, and Scott lets that difficulty show without asking us to applaud it. His performance supplies some doubt and discomfort that the film’s broader tribute to professional integrity tends to smooth away.

Brendan Fraser’s Eisenhower gives Scott a useful counterpart: the person who must decide needs something firmer than the expert can honestly promise. Their exchanges make the hierarchy clear without requiring the film to stop and explain why the forecast matters. Maras and co-writer David Haig also find dry humour in the generals’ predicament, since authority cannot make the conditions more convenient. The humour is welcome because these discussions could otherwise become a succession of solemn reminders about what is at stake.

Jamie D. Ramsay’s saturated cinematography keeps the enclosed setting from looking drab, although its polish occasionally makes the period surroundings feel too comfortable. As editor as well as director, Maras maintains a brisk progression through the disagreements. He lets us follow the competing positions without treating every exchange as an invitation to slow down and admire the actors. The tension comes chiefly from people challenging one another, which is a sensible choice for this material. We remain interested in who will be believed.

Daniel Taylor’s production design serves the contained setting without becoming a distraction, and the confinement suits a story about people obliged to keep arguing. The film gets useful tension from having so little space in which to escape the dispute. Volker Bertelmann’s score has a supporting job here, with the actors carrying most of the suspense. The most involving details remain Scott’s small changes of expression, which can make a reasonable exchange feel close to becoming personal.

The weakness is how little the film asks us to question its preferred man. Scott suggests a complicated person, but the screenplay is more comfortable with the familiar satisfaction of seeing expertise withstand bluster. That is an agreeable position, and a fairly limited one when the disagreements keep returning to it. The theatrical roots also remain apparent in the succession of confrontations, despite Maras’s efficient handling. We wanted the writing to spend longer on the difficulties of judgement, rather than relying so much on the virtue of standing firm.

There is something welcome about a war thriller that takes a technical discussion seriously enough to trust us with it. The old-fashioned manner suits the subject, though anyone hoping for an unfamiliar way of looking at command will find the script cautious. Maras understands how much suspense the genre can draw from a decision being delayed, and he has the actors to sustain the wait. Choose it for Scott and the battle of wills, provided a war film spent mostly in discussion sounds like an attraction.

*Fi1m score 78, published 14 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find Pressure a tense, tightly focused drama that makes the weather forecasts behind D-Day planning absorbing. Praise centres on Andrew Scott’s restrained performance as the meteorologist, particularly his ability to convey conflicting emotions through small reactions, with Brendan Fraser’s Eisenhower providing a strong contrast. The reviews also value the clashes between expertise and military authority; the Los Angeles Times singles out the direction, editing and saturated cinematography for giving the confined setting pace and visual interest.

Reservations concern the film’s theatrical roots, conventional wartime uplift and limited exploration of its ideas, though most critics find the performances and tension sufficient compensation. The Playlist praises Scott but finds the treatment predictable and insufficiently thoughtful. The Wrap takes the sharper dissenting position, arguing that the historical anecdote cannot sustain a feature and generates little suspense despite a capable cast and direction.

## Straight answers

**Is Pressure worth watching?**

*Pressure* is worth watching for anyone who enjoys a tense argument in a small room, and we scored it 78. Andrew Scott's James Stagg, a forecaster standing by an unwelcome prediction before D-Day, holds the film together, though the script makes his case a little too easy. Choose it for the battle of wills rather than for battle.

**How long is Pressure, and what is it rated?**

*Pressure* runs 1h 41m and is rated PG-13 by the MPA in the US. It is a thriller and history film.

**Where can I watch Pressure in the US?**

*Pressure* is streaming on Peacock, The Roku Channel and Amazon Prime Video in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $5.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Pressure, and is it suitable for children?**

*Pressure* is a 12A war film with very little to alarm anyone, since it is spent almost entirely in discussion rather than combat. The tension comes from generals and a meteorologist disagreeing over a forecast, not from violence on screen. Younger children are more likely to be bored than frightened; teenagers with an interest in history should manage it comfortably.

**How does Pressure compare to 12 Angry Men?**

*Pressure* and [*12 Angry Men*](https://film.one/film/12-angry-men) are both confined arguments in which careful reasoning has to withstand forceful personalities, and Lumet's is the stronger film. *12 Angry Men* is gripping enough to recommend to almost anyone; *Pressure* is more cautious and suits viewers already drawn to wartime command. Both scripts arrange their disagreements rather neatly.

**What should I watch after Pressure?**

After *Pressure*, try [*12 Angry Men*](https://film.one/film/12-angry-men) (1957, Fi1m 91): For another confined argument where careful reasoning has to withstand forceful personalities. Then [*The Lives of Others*](https://film.one/film/the-lives-of-others) (2006, Fi1m 84): For restrained performances and the difficult business of keeping a conscience; and [*Shin Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/shin-godzilla) (2016, Fi1m 74): Officials debate an emergency while expertise struggles to make itself heard.

### Reviews we read (15)

- **Los Angeles Times**, Katie Walsh (85/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's focused dramatization of the weather's role in D-Day planning as a tense one-setting thriller, highlighting strong performances by Brendan Fraser and Andrew Scott. They single out the skillful direction, editing, and richly saturated cinematography for creating a propulsive and visually striking chamber piece. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2026-05-29/pressure-review-fraser-scott-in-world-war-ii-showdown)
- **Vulture** (85/100, inferred): Praises the gripping narrative and performances, especially Andrew Scott's subtle acting and the contrast with Brendan Fraser's Eisenhower. Singles out the focus on the meteorologist's determination and the film's economy. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/pressure-review-a-gripping-new-addition-to-the-wwii-canon.html)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Frank Scheck (80/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's sustained tension and Andrew Scott's superb performance as the meteorologist, noting it turns weather forecasting into an edge-of-your-seat thriller. They single out Scott's subtle emotional depth for praise. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pressure-review-andrew-scott-brendan-fraser-kerry-condon-1236605550/)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (4/5): The critic praises the tense, affecting chamber drama adapted from a play, calling Andrew Scott's understated performance breathtaking and note-perfect in conveying suppressed emotions and micro-reactions. It turns an overlooked historical detail into gripping foreground drama with enjoyable supporting turns. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/09/01/pressure-andrew-scott-d-day/)
- **Variety**, Guy Lodge (80/100, inferred): The review commends the absorbing, efficient chamber drama about the meteorological planning for D-Day, adapted from a play, with magnetic performances from Andrew Scott as the steadfast meteorologist and Brendan Fraser as Eisenhower. It singles out the dry comedy in the absurdity of mighty generals thwarted by weather forecasts and the timely stand for expertise and sensible decision-making. [Read](https://variety.com/2026/film/news/pressure-review-andrew-scott-brendan-fraser-1236754722/)
- **The AV Club**, Monica Castillo (B): The review highlights the effective tension and ensemble cast in this D-Day weather thriller, praising how it focuses on science and egos clashing. They single out Andrew Scott's performance for making the suspense work. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/pressure-review)
- **Financial Times**, Danny Leigh (75/100, inferred): The critic calls the film flawed but rewarding, with Andrew Scott's central turn bringing intense gravity and stellar presence as the real-life meteorologist advising on D-Day conditions. It spotlights the courage of refusing to tell people what they want to hear amid crackling hostilities. [Read](https://www.ft.com/content/c9edc481-cdc7-457a-8f1b-59b4ad589ec0)
- **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (75/100, inferred): The critic calls it a sturdily old-fashioned but unexpectedly gripping drama that creates tension through antagonism between characters rather than action. Andrew Scott delivers terrific work conveying warring emotions with subtle expressions, making the film solidly watchable and elevated by top-tier acting. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/wendy-ides-pick-of-the-other-films-pressure-practical-magic-2-oasis-dont-look-back-in-anger-fall-2-deadpoint-better-go-mad-in-the-wild)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (4 out of 5): The critic highlights the gripping behind-closed-doors Anglo-American battle of wills and Andrew Scott's beautifully balanced, stoic portrayal of the pragmatic meteorologist who prioritizes professional integrity, noting Maras's skill at conveying jeopardy in tense decision-making scenes despite the theatrical roots. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/pressure-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Marshall Shaffer (####): The critic frames the film as turning war planning into workplace drama, praising its focus on the meteorologist's disruptive innovation and Scott's performance. They single out the contrast with historical precedent and old-guard resistance for praise while noting some issues with the combat scenes. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pressure-review-brendan-fraser-andrew-scott/)
- **The Guardian**: The critic finds it a slick and watchable if slightly cheesy and unreflective period drama adapted from a play, with staginess reflecting its theatrical origins. Andrew Scott brings complexity to the stoic meteorologist Stagg, though the film is unsure how much inner darkness to give the character. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/sep/10/pressure-review-stormy-weather-in-tense-d-day-forecast-retelling)
- **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4 out of 5 stars): The critic calls it a terrifically tense WWII thriller centered on the high-stakes weather decisions for D-Day, praising Andrew Scott's magnetic, icy charisma as the meteorologist and the film's chamber-piece focus on information, communication and groupthink under pressure. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pressure-review-2026)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (85/100, inferred): The critic calls the film a crackerjack thriller about the high-stakes weather forecast decisions leading to D-Day, praising director Anthony Maras for turning the topic into edge-of-your-seat cinema and highlighting strong performances from Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser. [Read](https://deadline.com/2026/05/pressure-review-brendan-fraser-andrew-scott-ww2-d-day-1236921215/)
- **The Playlist**, Ned Booth (C): The film is a conventionally rendered WWII drama adapted from a stage play that benefits from its contained setting but fails to explore its ideas thoughtfully, instead delivering expected triumphant pathos. It praises Andrew Scott's versatile performance as the meteorologist and the focus on unsung heroes of the war effort. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/pressure-review-brendan-fraser-andrew-scott-star-in-conventionally-rendered-wwii-drama-about-the-weather-on-d-day-20260529/)
- **The Wrap** (40/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as middling, arguing that the historical anecdote about rival meteorologists cannot sustain a full feature and lacks suspense or depth despite capable direction and cast. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/pressure-review-brendan-fraser-andrew-scott/)

## Details

- **Director:** Anthony Maras
- **Director:** Anthony Maras
- **Writer:** David Haig, Anthony Maras
- **Cinematography:** Jamie Ramsay
- **Editor:** Anthony Maras
- **Music:** Hauschka
- **Production design:** Daniel Taylor
- **Costume design:** Liza Bracey
- **Producer:** Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Cass Marks
- **Cast:** Andrew Scott as James Stagg; Brendan Fraser as Dwight ‘Ike’ Eisenhower; Kerry Condon as Kay Summersby; Chris Messina as Irving Krick; Damian Lewis as Bernard ‘Monty’ Montgomery; Tamsin Topolski as Liz Stagg; Jojo Macari as Andrew Carter; Con O'Neill as Air Marshal Leigh-Mallory
- **Runtime:** 1h 41m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 29 May 2026
- **Genres:** Thriller, History, War, Drama
- **Budget:** $30 million
- **Box office:** $20 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjdOSchcobk

## Where to watch in the US

- Peacock: streaming, uhd
- The Roku Channel: add-on, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $5.99, uhd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $9.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-14.*

Also available in: BE, BR, CA, FR, GB, IE, JP, MX, NL, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *12 Angry Men* (1957), Fi1m 91: For another confined argument where careful reasoning has to withstand forceful personalities. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/12-angry-men.md)
- *The Train* (1964): Another wartime thriller interested in judgement, responsibility and the costs of obedience.
- *The Guilty* (2018): A tense Danish thriller that makes listening harder than taking action.
- *The Lives of Others* (2006), Fi1m 84: For restrained performances and the difficult business of keeping a conscience. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-lives-of-others.md)
- *Shin Godzilla* (2016), Fi1m 74: Officials debate an emergency while expertise struggles to make itself heard. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/shin-godzilla.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/pressure