Overview
A gripping courtroom drama that exposes the chaos of political activism and injustice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- urgent
- witty
- angry
- historical film night
- political discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly found Aaron Sorkin's energetic historical courtroom drama gripping and politically trenchant, with especially strong ensemble performances and Sacha Baron Cohen's standout comic intensity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The trial is staged as an escalating clash between the defendants, their lawyers, Judge Hoffman, and the prosecution.
Tom Hayden's moderate organizing clashes with Abbie Hoffman's and Jerry Rubin's theatrical Yippie tactics while the defendants remain interdependent.
The Nixon administration pursues conspiracy charges, Bobby Seale is prosecuted despite noninvolvement, and the courtroom process is repeatedly compromised.
The film presents the Chicago proceedings as a defining argument over the constitutional right to protest, framed for contemporary resonance.
Films like The Trial of the Chicago 7, and why
A Few Good Men
Shared legal drama structure, courtroom confrontation, institutional injustice, and forceful political dialogue.
All the President's Men
Shared historical drama treatment of political power, government misconduct, and morally charged courtroom proceedings.
Selma
Shared true-events drama about civil rights, protest, racism depicted, and principled resistance to state authority.
Judas and the Black Messiah
Shared ensemble historical drama focused on political activism, ideological conflict, and an unjust legal system.
Movie Details
- Director
- Aaron Sorkin
- Release Date
- 2020-09-25
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (3458)
Cast
- Eddie Redmayne
- Sacha Baron Cohen
- Mark Rylance
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Frank Langella
- Jeremy Strong
- John Carroll Lynch
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
- Alex Sharp
- Noah Robbins
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Trial of the Chicago 7 about?
- A high-stakes courtroom ensemble turns the prosecution of antiwar activists into a charged battle over protest, power, and justice.
- What is The Trial of the Chicago 7 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Trial of the Chicago 7 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Trial of the Chicago 7 violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Trial of the Chicago 7 as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Trial of the Chicago 7?
- Critics broadly found Aaron Sorkin's energetic historical courtroom drama gripping and politically trenchant, with especially strong ensemble performances and Sacha Baron Cohen's standout comic intensity.
- Which films are like The Trial of the Chicago 7?
- Films with a similar feel include A Few Good Men, All the President's Men, Selma, and Judas and the Black Messiah.
- How long is The Trial of the Chicago 7?
- The Trial of the Chicago 7 runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Trial of the Chicago 7?
- In United States, The Trial of the Chicago 7 streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
