Stanley Kubrick's controversial 1971 film A Clockwork Orange has been added to HBO Max's streaming library 55 years after its original release, giving new audiences access to one of cinema's most divisive works. The film, adapted from Anthony Burgess's novel, follows young thug Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) as he commits acts of violence before undergoing a brutal aversion-therapy experiment designed to eliminate his criminal impulses, and it remains notable for provoking enduring debate about the depiction of violence in art.

Set in a dystopian near-future Britain, the story sees Alex and his gang, or "droogs," carry out robberies and assaults before he is jailed for murder and volunteers for a prison rehabilitation programme. The article highlights the film's technical and artistic achievements, including its distinctive visual style, invented slang, and the memorable use of "Singin' in the Rain" during a home invasion scene, an addition made by Kubrick during rehearsals. It notes the film sparked fierce criticism on release, with outlets such as The Village Voice condemning its violent content, yet it endures as both an uncomfortable and highly acclaimed piece of filmmaking.