If you’re like me, when you first heard of The Post you were wondering the obvious question: How could a movie directed by Steven Spielberg starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep possibly be bad? And let me tell you, it far exceeded expectations.

The Post is the story of Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), the first female publisher of the Washington Post, and Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), The Post’s editor. The two of them, along with other staff members at the Post, work to uncover the Pentagon Papers, papers containing decades of government secrets, obtained by the New York Times. After finally obtaining the papers, they must decide whether they are willing to risk their careers, the Washington Post and their freedom to post the truth.

The Post shows the importance of a free press and the fight that was needed to secure a right that had never been so fully under attack until the Nixon presidency. Though this movie plays out in the 1970s, it is almost startling at how relevant this movie and its themes are to today. As we live in a time where the free press is under attack, The Post serves as a reminder that a free press is essential to a functioning democracy.

Though the right to publish is the main battle of the movie, Katharine Graham’s battle against a misogynistic system is definitely a close second. As the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, Graham had to prove herself as a leader in a man’s world. She is constantly undermined by the men around her, many of whom don’t believe her capable of the job because her father gave the newspaper to her husband, so she was never supposed to be in charge. Katharine’s battle to overcome her circumstances and prove herself is a major part of the movie.

I would rate this movie a solid 5/5 stars because of its incredible storyline. When leaving the theater, I had a fire within me because of how hopeful and inspiring the movie was. It is truly a must-see movie.