The Report
An idealistic Senate investigator confronts the machinery of secrecy while documenting the CIA's post-9/11 torture program.
Overview
A gripping investigation reveals the dark secrets of national security in the wake of tragedy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sober
- gripping
- unsettling
- political film night
- history discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film sober, gripping, and eye-opening in its clear account of a dark chapter in American history, while noting its conventional political-thriller form.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Daniel Jones compiles testimony, documents, and timelines while leading the Senate investigation into the CIA detention and interrogation program.
The investigation uncovers destroyed evidence, legal circumvention, and efforts by intelligence officials to conceal misconduct.
The film builds suspense from interviews, classified records, Senate negotiations, and institutional obstruction.
The CIA program emerges from the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the ensuing counterterrorism climate.
Films like The Report, and why
All the President's Men
shared sober political thriller style, institutional investigation, and pursuit of government accountability
Spotlight
shared fact-based political drama, procedural investigation, and moral conflict with state power
Zero Dark Thirty
shared tense examination of intelligence institutions, national security, and official secrecy
The Insider
shared 1970s-influenced political filmmaking, whistleblowing themes, and pressure from powerful institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Scott Z. Burns
- Release Date
- 2019-09-12
- Runtime
- 119 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (1199)
Cast
- Adam Driver
- Annette Bening
- Jon Hamm
- Sarah Goldberg
- Michael C. Hall
- Douglas Hodge
- Fajer Al-Kaisi
- Ted Levine
- Jennifer Morrison
- Tim Blake Nelson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Report about?
- An idealistic Senate investigator confronts the machinery of secrecy while documenting the CIA's post-9/11 torture program.
- What is The Report like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Report as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Report violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Report as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Report?
- Critics broadly found the film sober, gripping, and eye-opening in its clear account of a dark chapter in American history, while noting its conventional political-thriller form.
- Which films are like The Report?
- Films with a similar feel include All the President's Men, Spotlight, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Insider.
- How long is The Report?
- The Report runs 119 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Report?
- In United States, The Report streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
