While this is definitely not the first documentary on the Oklahoma City bombing, it is the most recent, which means it has a 2024 outlook on extremism. So this MAX documentary ultimately ends up right where you think it will, discussing January 6th. Extremism is extremism. It is important to understand history so we are not doomed to repeat it. And thus, the glimmer at the current state of affairs is brief, and the majority of the film is a deep dive into the Oklahoma City attack, Timothy mcVeigh, and what caused him to be a domestic terrorist.

I had the opportunity when I was a teenager of visiting the site of the bombing after the fact, and there was already a memorial set up. For every face we try to paint that a terrorist doesn’t look like us, it is really hard to not picture McViegh and his accomplices. those interviewed don’t just discuss this attack, but what made McVeigh radicalized, and events that led up to his decision.

This means a lot of people are interviewed, and a lot of archival footage is played. The audio description by international Digital center tries to really bring in the whole project, from the talking heads to the imagery from 30 years ago, but documentaries are often hard to really succeed on. Dakota green has written a strong script, and Michael Truccario does a nice job with a truly terrible true story. There’s an awareness here that what they are discussing is important, and they make sure the track maintains that level of seriousness and reverence for its subject matter.

I really enjoyed this documentary, even though it’s not something you truly enjoy. I felt like they really did their research, called in all the appropriate people, and put extremism on blast. If you are able to handle a documentary that is a bit more will.

Final Grade: A