The Shock Doctrine
The Shock Doctrine

Movie spotlight

The Shock Doctrine

2009
Movie
82 min
English

An investigation of "disaster capitalism", based on Naomi Klein's proposition that neo-liberal capitalism feeds on natural disasters, war and terror to establish its dominance.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes61%
Metacritic59/100
Google Users77%
Director: Michael WinterbottomGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary, based on Naomi Klein's book, explores the exploitation of disasters and crises for political and economic gain. It posits that a 'shock doctrine' is employed, where traumatic events are used to implement radical free-market policies. The film connects various historical and contemporary events, from the Iraq War to Hurricane Katrina, as examples of this phenomenon.

Critical Reception

The Shock Doctrine received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its ambitious scope and its connection to Naomi Klein's influential book. However, some reviewers found the film's arguments to be overly simplistic or didactic, and its narrative structure was sometimes criticized for being disjointed.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its connection to Naomi Klein's important book and its exploration of a significant political concept.

  • Criticized by some for being too heavy-handed in its message and lacking a nuanced approach.

  • Noted for its ambitious attempt to link disparate global events under a single theoretical framework.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be thought-provoking and informative, appreciating its attempt to shed light on controversial economic and political practices. However, some viewers felt it was too biased or presented a one-sided argument.

Fun Fact

The film is based on Naomi Klein's best-selling 2007 non-fiction book of the same name, which became a cornerstone of anti-globalization and anti-capitalist discourse.

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