The Flood (2019 film)

The Flood is a 2019 British drama film directed by Anthony Woodley and written by Helen Kingston. The film stars Lena Headey as Wendy, a hardened immigration officer who is tasked with assessing the asylum claim of a refugee from Eritrea (Ivanno Jeremiah). As she investigates his story, the film interweaves flashbacks depicting his harrowing journey across multiple countries to reach the United Kingdom. The cast also includes Mandip Gill, Jack Gordon, Peter Singh, Arsher Ali, and Iain Glen in supporting roles.

The screenplay was inspired by real-life accounts of asylum seekers and was developed with input from refugee support organizations. Principal photography took place across various locations in the United Kingdom and France. The film was produced by Megatopia Films and was released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2019 by Curzon Artificial Eye.

Upon release, The Flood received mixed reviews from critics. Reviewers praised the performances—particularly those of Headey and Jeremiah—and the film’s topical exploration of immigration and refugee experiences, though some critics noted a lack of narrative cohesion.

Wendy, a seasoned and emotionally distant immigration officer, is assigned a politically sensitive asylum case that will determine her future career trajectory. Known for her efficiency and objectivity, she is tasked with assessing the application of Haile, a refugee from Eritrea who has recently arrived in the United Kingdom. As she begins her interrogation, Wendy must determine whether Haile’s story is truthful or if he harbors ulterior motives for seeking asylum.

Haile recounts his journey across more than 5,000 kilometers, spanning multiple countries and perilous terrain. His escape takes him through deserts, across dangerous waters, and eventually to the Calais Jungle—an overcrowded and chaotic migrant encampment in northern France. Through fragmented flashbacks, his story reveals the physical and emotional toll of forced displacement and survival in hostile conditions.

As Wendy probes further, her confidence in a clear-cut verdict begins to waver. The interview becomes increasingly complex, forcing her to confront the limits of institutional procedure and the human consequences of her decision. Ultimately, both are left altered by the encounter—Wendy by the moral ambiguity of her role and Haile by the uncertainty of his future.

• Lena Headey as Wendy
• Ivanno Jeremiah as Haile
• Mandip Gill as Reema
• Jack Gordon as Russell
• Peter Singh as Faz
• Arsher Ali as Nasrat
• Iain Glen as Philip

In March 2017, Lena Headey was announced as the lead in The Flood, with Anthony Woodley attached to direct from a screenplay by Helen Kingston. Headey also joined the project as an executive producer. The film was produced by Megatopia Films.^[2] In April 2017, Ivanno Jeremiah, Iain Glen, and Jack Gordon were added to the cast.^[3]

Principal photography began in April 2017, with filming taking place in London and on location in the Calais Jungle.^[3] Additional scenes were filmed in Kent, where Joss Bay doubled for the Italian coastline, and production also visited the Port of Ramsgatee.

In May 2019, Curzon Artificial Eye acquired United Kingdom distribution rights to The Flood.^[4] The film was released theatrically in the UK on 21 June 2019.^[4] It was later scheduled for release in the United States on 1 May 2020 by Samuel Goldwyn Films.^[5]

The Flood was released in the United Kingdom on 21 June 2019 and grossed £3,983 from four screens during its opening weekend, ranking twenty-ninth at the national box office.^[6] The film earned an additional £113 in its second weekend, with a cumulative ten-day gross of £5,563.^[7] By its fourth week, the film had grossed a total of £5,966.^[8]

The Flood received mixed reviews from critics. While the performances—particularly by Lena Headey and Ivanno Jeremiah—were widely praised, several reviewers noted narrative shortcomings and an overly tidy resolution.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 69% based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's consensus reads, "Imperfect yet ultimately honorable, The Flood takes an empathetic look at the plight of asylum seekers in the 21st century."^[9] On RogerEbert.com, critic Nell Minow commended the film’s “subtle and empathetic” portrayal of the asylum system, writing that Headey delivers a “quiet and controlled performance” that reveals depth through restraint. The review emphasized the film’s depiction of the human rights crisis as grounded and emotionally resonant.^[10] The Independent praised the film for its character-driven approach. Headey’s portrayal was highlighted for conveying “a deep sadness” through subtle visual cues, while Jeremiah’s performance was described as evoking a “tragic hero” dignity. The review acknowledged that although the ending felt overly neat, the emotional journey was effective.^[11]

Variety offered a tempered appraisal, noting that while the film builds to a “potent (if still quiet) cumulative impact,” its early pacing is underwhelming. The review acknowledged the relevance of the subject matter and the strength of the lead performances, even as the narrative structure was seen as familiar.^[12] The Guardian called it a “well-meaning and honestly acted drama” but felt that its messaging was “glib” and “programmatic” at times, particularly toward the conclusion. Another Guardian review highlighted standout scenes—such as Haile’s attempt to stow away in a lorry—and praised Jeremiah’s performance but noted that Wendy’s personal struggles were depicted in ways that undercut the film’s intended critique of the immigration system.^[13] Time Out described the film as timely and anchored by two strong central performances, though it was criticized for lacking emotional depth and originality. The direction was called “competent,” but the script was seen as leaning on familiar tropes.^[14]

• The Flood at IMDb
• The Flood at Rotten Tomatoes