For many these days, the term Big Brother will immediately make them think of celebrity wannabes sitting casually in the diary chair, hoping not to be next to be evicted from the house.

And although the reality show plays homage, of sorts, to George Orwell’s dystopian 1949 novel 1984, with cameras monitoring the contestants 24/7, the reference will mean nothing to most watching.

This documentary will serve as a good introduction to the writer then, and his eerie ability to predict the future.

Even though Damian Lewis supplies narration as Orwell, reading out diary entries and personal letters, this isn’t a straight-forward biography.

Director Raoul Peck has created somewhat of a hybrid, part biography and part social commentary, where he uses thoughts found in Orwell’s diary and novels, that are then juxtaposed to illustrate how so many societies are still under the thumb of various leaders, political parties, and companies, that have the power to heavily influence the minds of the many.

Although it doesn’t feature any original talking head figures, it’s an absorbing digital patchwork of news footage, film clips and archive photos, some of which are distressing, as Orwell’s ideas are used to illustrate how they are still relevant, sadly, throughout history up to today.

The result, although intriguing, is quite depressing, and telling many what we already know, that the likes of Trump, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Murdoch et al, have far too much money and power, and far little common sense.

And as you are bombarded with the futility of modern society, and the puppet masters in control, Orwell’s personal story isn’t really present; it’s used to illustrate pertinent points, and not much more, sadly. So if you’re expecting to find out more about the highly regarded British author and journalist, you may well be disappointed.

At least the film’s title is explained, which, if you don’t know much about the book – or numerous film and TV adaptations that have clips featured here, it refers to the protagonist being brainwashed to the point that we will accept and believe anything he’s told.

It’s an absorbing social commentary though, including some intriguing footage, that, more than anything, will have you walking away, no doubt looking over shoulder, and thinking what a truly fucked up world we live in – as if we needed reminding.