How to Watch Small Axe on Prime Video

December 10, 2022

Based on the lived experiences of the West Indian community in London and set in the time between the 1960s and 1980s, Small Axe on Prime Video is a collection of five original films by Steve McQueen. The stories tell of immense personal courage and grit shown by members of the community against systemic racism and injustice. The title comes from a Jamaican proverb, “If you are the big tree, we are the small axe.”

Where to Watch Small Axe

Good news! There are a few ways you and your family can enjoy not only Small Axe but everything Prime Video has to offer. Prime Video offers a free 30-day trial with access to hit TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more. Keep watching after your trial for only $14.99 a month. Save by purchasing a whole season of Small Axe to watch from any TV, tablet, PC, or phone.

How Many Episodes Are in Small Axe?

There are five episodes in Small Axe. The runtime of episodes averages between 63-127 minutes. You can check the complete list of Small Axe episodes and their release date below.

“Mangrove”: November 20, 2020
“Lovers Rock”: November 27, 2020
“Red, White and Blue”: December 4, 2020
“Alex Wheatle”: December 11, 2020
“Education”: December 18, 2020

What Are the Critics Saying About Small Axe?

Small Axe has an official critics rating of 97% and an average audience score of 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. Each film in the collection has tugged at viewers’ heartstrings for different reasons.

K. Austin Collins from Rolling Stone writes, “A testament to McQueen’s work, here and throughout, is that you might nevertheless feel some hope. Systems are slow to change. But the fight to survive, the film seems to tell us, is worth remembering.”

Screen International’s Fionnuala Halligan says, “McQueen seems to be talking to everyone who’s watching, black and white, about the need to arm oneself with knowledge.”

Is Small Axe Suitable for Kids?

Small Axe is rated TV-14, which means some parents may find the content unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.

Mugdha is a Content Writer at DogTime and CatTime. Having grown up with more pets in the house than humans, she speaks "pets" fluently. She has a keen eye for products that suit and benefit both dogs and cats and has the world's best product reviewers on her team — her two rescue dogs, who take their jobs very, very seriously! Previously, she has researched and reported on most things lifestyle — from wellness to films to interior décor.