Harsh Vardhan
Sometimes, when you just sit back and relax, do you ponder about something in particular? There are so many secrets about this world that we are not aware of. While some of these truths may be buried, others might be stowed away in the pages of history and discarded or simply hidden from plain view. Some of these crazy theories include speculations about the Illuminati being real or beliefs that there are secret Satan-worshiping cults. But are all of these mere assumptions? What if they are true? Many of these conspiracy theories exist, and numerous films have also been made about them. Netflix features a handful of movies that deal with several conspiracies that will leave your head spinning for days.
16. White Boy (2017)
Directed by Shawn Rech, this documentary follows FBI-informant-turned-drug-lord Richard Wershe Jr, who was named White Boy Rick by journalists and reporters. Born in 1980s Detroit, Richard was surrounded by drugs and violence, which led the FBI to make him an informant at the age of 14 to tackle the city’s drug epidemic.
Later on, the FBI cut ties with him due to his being underage, yet he continued to sell cocaine. He was finally arrested at the age of 17 in 1987 after being found with eight kilos of cocaine. Sent to prison that same year, White Boy Rick was released in 2020 and now lives as a free man. You can stream the film here to find out how things transpired.
15. Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich (2022)
This documentary film is directed by Maiken Baird and Lisa Bryant and showcases the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, a known accomplice of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The film shows her involvement in child trafficking and other offenses for which she was found guilty in 2021. It was with her help that Epstein abused minor girls for over a decade. She conspired to entice the young girls to engage in illegal sex acts and transport them for the same as well.
Her monstrosity and her narcissism are showcased using interviews with victims, officials, and archive footage. A spine-chilling film that is a staunch reminder of how wicked a person can be, ‘Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich’ can be watched right here.
14. Get Me Roger Stone (2017)
‘Get Me Roger Stone’ is a documentary directed by Dylan Bank, Daniel DiMauro, and Morgan Pehme that delves into the life and career of controversial Republican political strategist/lobbyist Roger Stone. The film reveals Stone’s strategic use of disinformation and the art of political manipulation. With charges of making false statements, obstruction, and witness tampering during the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s possible collusion with Russia, Stone is no less than a cornerstone that represents the dark corners of American politics.
The documentary provides a nuanced look at how he navigates the world of political intrigue. By examining Stone’s methods and influence, ‘Get Me Roger Stone’ indirectly sheds light on the role of conspiracy theories in shaping political narratives and strategies. You can watch it here.
13. The Social Dilemma (2020)
Directed by Jeff Orlowski, ‘The Social Dilemma’ unravels the disturbing impact of social media on society. The documentary sheds light on the hidden algorithms and manipulative designs behind platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Through expert interviews of people like Tristan Harris and Tim Kendall, and dramatized scenarios, it paints a sobering picture of how these platforms exploit human psychology for profit, fueling addiction and polarization.
The film issues a stark warning about the societal consequences of unbridled technology, urging viewers to question the real cost of their online engagement. Gripping and thought-provoking, ‘The Social Dilemma’ unveils the darker side of our interconnected digital world. You can stream it here.
12. Beckett (2021)
Ferdinando Cito Filomarino’s ‘Beckett’ stars John David Washington as the titular US citizen whose vacation with his girlfriend in Greece takes a dark turn after a tragedy puts him on the radar of people involved in a political conspiracy. With his life on the line, he has to figure out the truth and save himself before the repercussions hit. A man-on-the-run story at its heart, ‘Beckett’ is a The-Fugitive-esque drama that manages to balance conspiracy and thrill just fine. You can watch it here.
11. The Great Hack (2019)
‘The Great Hack,’ directed by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, is a chilling documentary that exposes the underbelly of data exploitation. It unveils the intricate web of how personal information is weaponized for political gain, notably during the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The film navigates through the manipulation of social media platforms and the erosion of privacy, revealing a digital landscape where democracy is at stake.
As a riveting conspiracy documentary, ‘The Great Hack’ stands out for its eye-opening revelations, shedding light on the dark forces that exploit our data, making it an essential watch for those intrigued by contemporary conspiracies. It also has insights from notable figures of the industry like Carole Cadwalladr, David Carroll, and Brittany Kaiser. You can watch the movie here.
10. They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Directed by Juel Taylor, this brilliant sci-fi comedy stars Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris. An homage to 1970s Blaxploitation, the film follows a drug dealer named Fontaine (Boyega) who, along with his customer Slick Charles (Foxx), who is a pimp, and Yo-Yo (Parris), one of Slick’s sex workers, tries to uncover a government conspiracy. Which is? Black people in their neighborhood of Glen are getting cloned, of course, without their permission. Even Fontaine himself has been cloned. But why? To find out, you have to join Fontaine, Slick, and Yo-Yo on their quest. Blending racism and humor to give us a funny social satire, ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ is an underrated conspiracy drama. You can watch it right here.
9. Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy (2024)
Helmed by Nic Stacey, ‘Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy’ unboxes the tricks brands use to manipulate customers into consuming their products and their impact on our lives. Industry insiders reveal how major global brands, like Apple and Amazon, implement new ways to get their consumers to buy the products and part with their bucks while discarded purchases end up in landfills.
While we try to quench our apparent perpetual thirst for better and state-of-the-art stuff, we are setting up our future generations to pay the heavy price. Informative, gripping, and shocking, ‘Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy’ addresses perhaps the most open conspiracy that we have wholeheartedly surrendered to. If you want to get yourself out of the bubble, you can stream the documentary here.
8. The Irishman (2019)
There are many ways to look at this brilliant Martin Scorsese directorial that is based on Charles Brandt’s 2004 nonfiction book ‘I Heard You Paint Houses.’ It can be a depiction of the politics of the 1950s, the power game among the different factions of the mafia with a special focus on the Bufalino crime family in Philadelphia and/or the journey of a man named Frank Sheeran, AKA “The Irishman,” from being a member of a labor union to a becoming a hitman. However, what connects these three perspectives is a singular conspiracy: the mysterious disappearance of labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa, under whom Sheeran worked.
Hoffa was the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) when he went missing on July 30, 1975, when he was 62. His strained relationship with the crime families, which is depicted in the film from the POV of Frank Sheeran, is considered the most probable reason behind his disappearance, although there are multiple accounts. After years of search and investigation, Hoffa was legally declared dead on July 30, 1982. Al Pacino plays Jimmy Hoffa in the film, while Robert De Niro plays Frank Sheeran. The rest of the cast includes Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Stephen Graham, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, and Jesse Plemons. You can watch ‘The Irishman’ here.
7. The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)
Unravel the enigma surrounding the iconic Marilyn Monroe in ‘The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes,’ a Netflix documentary skillfully crafted by director Emma Cooper. It is based on the book ‘Goddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe’ by Anthony Summers. Through archival footage and previously unseen interviews with her closest friends, Summers explores the depths of the diva’s life and untimely demise, surrounding which there are many conspiracies, some of which have taken shape from her affairs with powerful men, including President John F. Kennedy. More than a documentary, it’s a journey into the heart of Marilyn’s mystery, with each unheard tape adding layers to the narrative. You can watch it here.
6. Mumbai Mafia: Police vs. The Underworld (2023)
Enter the high-stakes world of ‘Mumbai Mafia: Police vs Underworld,’ a documentary that unfolds the gritty saga of D-Company, led by crime boss Dawood Ibrahim, which was involved in smuggling, gambling, and extortion in 1990s Mumbai. It targeted everyone from shopkeepers to Bollywood stars. Directed by the dynamic duo Raaghav Dar and Francis Longhurst, the film immerses you in riveting interviews with Mumbai’s fearless officers who tackled the rise of D-Company.
The officers spill the beans on how they faced off against the underworld, recounting tales of crime, conspiracy, and escalating tensions. A front-row seat to the relentless battle between law enforcement and the shadows of organized crime. Brace yourself for an adrenaline-pumping narrative that peels back the layers of Mumbai’s intricate underworld. You can watch the documentary here.
5. ReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff (2018)
Returning to real-events-inspired documentaries, our next entry on the list is ‘ReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff.’ It examines the Reggae Movement in Jamaica, the political schemes behind it, and the CIA’s involvement in the mysterious shooting of Bob Marley. Bob Marley, the legendary reggae artist, barely survived a murder attempt when he was caught in a crossfire between two political parties in 1976. The feature film delves into the history of Jamaica’s politics and attempts to solve this mystery. You can stream the documentary here.
4. Icarus (2017)
‘Icarus’ follows filmmaker Bryan Fogel as he documents the truth behind doping in several important international sporting events. In his endeavor, he meets Russian scientist Grigory Rodchenkov, the director of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory, who claims that the current rules to check the usage of banned performance-enhancing substances are inadequate. Their encounter and conversation transform Fogel’s story from a mere personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller. Here, we get to learn about several dark secrets that comprise dirty urine, unexplained deaths, and Olympic golds. A must-watch documentary that won the Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards, ‘Icarus’ can be streamed here.
3. Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King (2022)
Prepare for a mind-bending journey into the dark corners of the crypto realm with ‘Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King,’ a Netflix original directed by the brilliant Luke Sewell. It’s a gripping tale of cryptocurrency investors turned amateur sleuths diving headfirst into the enigma surrounding 30-year-old Gerry Cotton, the founder of their cryptocurrency exchange, Quadriga CX. Cotton died and took with him US$190 million worth of assets, all of which belonged to the investors, that cannot be reclaimed as he left no breadcrumbs of any sort. How it all took shape and if Cotton really died or just disappeared with all the money without a trace is what the sleuths look for answers to in this gripping documentary. You can watch it here.
2. Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy (2021)
Dive into the heart-pounding world of ‘Crack: Cocaine, Corruption & Conspiracy,’ where the real drama unfolds in shadows. The documentary, directed by Stanley Nelson, is a gripping journey through the explosive cocktail of cocaine, corruption, and clandestine plots that rocked the 1980s. Via interviews and archival footage, Nelson traces the story of crack and its victims with a conspiracy-busting angle. He gives us a clear picture of how, as the supply and demand increased, the prices fell, and by 1984, crack made its way into working-class communities.
The series is a front-row seat to a real-life conspiracy circus. If you’re hungry for a wild, true-crime adventure that will leave you questioning everything, ‘Crack’ is your golden ticket to the heart of the action. You can stream it here.
1. Munich: The Edge of War (2021)
Based on Robert Harris’s 2017 novel ‘Munich,’ ‘Munich: The Edge of War’ showcases the 1938 Munich Agreement (German annexation of Sudetenland (a part of Czechoslovakia), home to mainly ethnic Germans), which was a step to keep Hitler from declaring war on Czechoslovakia and the plan to remove Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) from power. The film follows British civil servant Hugh Legat (George MacKay) and German diplomat Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewöhner) as they work together to bring the classified plan to fruition and thwart the führer’s plans to conquer Europe.
Director Christian Schwochow manages to establish tension during the years leading to the Second World War. The incorporated elements of suspense and spying further enhance the film’s effectiveness. Wrapping the conspiracy in such a manner allows ‘Munich: The Edge of War’ to be no less than a calm-before-storm symbol. A must-watch drama, the film co-stars Jeremy Irons, Alex Jennings, and Sandra Hüller. You can watch it here.
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