Viewers call Brexit drama ‘depressing’ and liken it to horror film

Television viewers threatened to switch off drama Brexit: The Uncivil War – because it was too “depressing”.

The programme about the 2016 referendum campaign, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Vote Leave strategist Dominic Cummings, aired on Channel 4 on Monday night.

While many people thought the programme was done brilliantly, some thought the subject matter did not make for a pleasant evening’s viewing.

One person posted on Twitter: “I’d watch #BrexitTheUncivilWar but good as it is, it’s just so cripplingly depressing.”

“Not sure watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar is a good idea,” said another.

“It’s bloody depressing. Made my headache worse and I’m struggle not to chuck things at the TV.”

Not sure watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar is a good idea. It’s bloody depressing. Made my headache worse and I’m struggle not to chuck things at the TV.

— Nara Hodge (@Nara_Hodge) January 7, 2019

“I really can’t watch this. Horrifying,” posted another.

I really can’t watch this. Horrifying. #BrexitTheUncivilWar

— Sharon Ward (@ShazzaB) January 7, 2019

One viewer said: “Think I’m gonna have to turn off #BrexitTheUncivilWar.

“Every decision, every choice, every fork in the referendum road that couldn’t been taken differently. When you know the outcome it’s just 2 hrs of ‘if only’.”

Think I'm gonna have to turn off #BrexitTheUncivilWar. Every decision, every choice, every fork in the referendum road that couldn't been taken differently. When you know the outcome it's just 2 hrs of 'if only'.

— Ol' Square Eyes (@olsquareeyes) January 7, 2019

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“Turning off #BrexitTheUncivilWar as it’s making me sad. Ignorance is bliss eh,” tweeted one viewer.

Turning off #BrexitTheUncivilWar as it’s making me sad. Ignorance is bliss eh.

— t o m (@td_rules) January 7, 2019

Others likened the drama to a horror film.

“Sorry #TheShining, I’ve now decided #BrexitTheUncivilWar is the greatest horror movie of all time (if even 5% of its plot is true),” posted one.

Sorry #TheShining, I’ve now decided #BrexitTheUncivilWar is the greatest horror movie of all time (if even 5% of its plot is true). #Brexshit #unbelievable

— Moj Taylor (@mojtaylor) January 7, 2019

“This is a horror film,” said another.

This is a horror film. #BrexitTheUncivilWar

— Nick Meadows (@nrmeadows) January 7, 2019

There were also viewers who felt it was not the right time for the programme.

One tweeted: “I won’t lie…..this all feels a little too soon!!”

I won't lie…..this all feels a little too soon!! #BrexitTheUncivilWar

— tippytupps (@tippytupps) January 7, 2019

“I’m watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar and decided that it’s too early to dramatise it,” said another.

I’m watching #BrexitTheUncivilWar and decided that it’s too early to dramatise it. Cumberbatch does a very good job but I really wanted to see #RikMayall to play Dom. If you’ve seen his drama such as In the Red and Rik Mayall presents…, you know what I mean.

— Miki Inamura (@whiteanklesocks) January 7, 2019

Brexit: The Uncivil War, written by James Graham, also stars Rory Kinnear, John Heffernan and Liz White.