The documentary (2020), directed by Justin Pemberton and based on Thomas Piketty’s best-selling book, is a visually engaging journey through the history of wealth and power. It explores how capitalism inherently creates deep inequalities unless actively regulated by the state. Key Insights & Themes
), wealth concentrates in the hands of the few, leading to social and economic instability.
: The central argument is that when the rate of return on capital ( ) grows faster than the economy (
: It describes the mid-20th century (1930–1975) as an exception where World Wars and the Great Depression temporarily leveled inequality.
: The film warns of a return to a society dominated by inherited wealth, much like the rigid class structures of the 19th century.
: Far from a dry lecture, the film uses a "killer soundtrack" and references ranging from Jane Austen and The Simpsons to Wall Street to make complex economic concepts accessible. Critical Perspectives Film Review “Capital in the 21st Century”