"Grenfell Uncovered" Reviews: The Netflix Documentary Has Been Hailed As 'Urgent' And 'Heartwrenching'

A new documentary exploring the Grenfell Tower disaster is being lauded by critics.

In June 2017, a fire broke out at the tower block in North Kensington, London, killing at least 72 people.

Eight years later, questions are still being asked about the tragedy – which are explored further in Netflix’s new documentary Grenfell Uncovered.

An official Netflix synopsis for the doc reads: “This feature length documentary examines the disturbing chain of events that led to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

“By uncovering actions taken by business and government years before the tragedy, the film shines a light on how it could have been prevented, and 72 lives could have been saved. The documentary gives a platform to survivors, bereaved families and firefighters to share their story.”

The documentary has already been praised as “agonising”, “rage-inducing” and “heartwrenching” by critics in their early reviews. Here’s a selection of what has been said about it so far…

“The 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London which caused 72 deaths is now the subject of Olaide Sadiq’s heartwrenching and enraging documentary, digging at the causes and movingly interviewing survivors and their families, whose testimony is all but unbearable. At the very least, the film will remind you that when politicians smugly announce they wish to make a bonfire of regulations, they should be taken, under police escort if necessary, and made to stand at the foot of the tower.”

“Vital journalism [...] the documentary’s trump card is its editing. That sounds very boring, but for the viewer it means a linear narrative, starting from the first 999 call, that then spread its tentacles down timelines of personal stories and historic corporate malfeasance. The dexterous splicing means that in spite of all this context, the film retains an agonising momentum.”

“This litany of failures is rage-inducing [...] the information is technically already out there, but it’s never really been condensed into something this concise and easily understandable before – certainly not on a massive streaming channel like Netflix, which will put it in front of millions of viewers.”

“ plenty of schlocky miniseries about serial killers, but when it comes to institutional failings and social affairs, they are more sensitive [...] this dynamic – the film is more interested in apportioning blame than it is in memorialising the victims – makes it feel raw, angry and urgent.”

“The film is upsetting and harrowing throughout, but it is driven by a clear sense of a need for justice, and an acknowledgment of the lack of justice to date. Though Mr Bates vs The Post Office was a drama, and this is a documentary, Grenfell: Uncovered may well have a similar effect on the public’s understanding of what happened in 2017.”

Grenfell Uncovered is now streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer below: