Director Dan Reed‘s documentary Stopping the Steal is a sobering, urgent exploration of the events leading up to the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, making it all too relevant in today’s political climate. The film effectively details how disinformation became a powerful tool in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and it’s something that should be studied by Americans for decades to come. This documentary isn’t just a look back, but it’s a warning that offers a blueprint for the potential dangers ahead for our country’s democracy.
What sets this documentary apart is its clear and engaging presentation of a complicated series of events. With testimony from key figures such as former Attorney General William Barr and Republican officials from Arizona and Georgia, viewers get a chronological breakdown of how unfounded claims of a rigged election spread from whispers in mid-2020 to a full-blown movement by early 2021. The documentary’s strength lies in how it turns what could be a convoluted political saga into a well-organized narrative that is both educational as well as interesting.
At the heart of the film is the moral stand taken by Republican officials like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Arizona Speaker Rusty Bowers. Their refusal to bow to intense pressure from both the White House and from Trump supporters highlights the personal costs these men paid to protect the integrity of the election. Their firsthand accounts humanize the broader story of election interference and demonstrate the fragile line between democracy and authoritarianism, and they should be commended for doing the right thing.
The documentary also delves into the dangerous rhetoric that gave rise to the “Stop the Steal” movement. By showing how repeated lies took hold of a large portion of the public (including baseless claims about Dominion Voting Systems and voter fraud) the film illustrates the real-world consequences of rampant disinformation. The film’s most disturbing realization is that if you repeat something loudly and often enough, people will start to believe it, despite a complete lack of evidence. It’s something that’s all too familiar and, sadly, normalized today.
“Stopping the Steal” serves as a comprehensive history lesson about the modern-day threat to American elections. The film skillfully balances a deep dive into political events with a gripping narrative, making it accessible and crucial viewing for all Americans. It doesn’t just revisit the past but looks forward, highlighting the dangerous ramifications of discrediting legitimate elections. For anyone concerned about the future of democracy, this documentary is a call to take action before it’s too late.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 