Documentary AreaSimply the best Documentaries

The world of child influencers may seem playful and innocent, but beneath the surface lies a reality far more unsettling. The documentary uncovers the meteoric rise of social media star Piper Rockelle and her entourage known as The Squad, exposing troubling claims of exploitation, manipulation, and mistreatment under the guidance of her mother, Tiffany Smith. Through raw and emotional testimonies from former members and their families, it reveals the psychological toll of growing up online and the blurred lines between fame and childhood. This documentary is a powerful wake-up call that questions the limits of online stardom and the urgent need to safeguard young creators.

‘Sugarcane’ is a compelling 2024 documentary that delves into the harrowing legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system. The film investigates the discovery of unmarked graves at St. Joseph's Mission near Williams Lake, British Columbia, bringing to light the physical and sexual abuses endured by Indigenous children. Through intimate interviews with survivors and their descendants, directors Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie reveal the enduring impact of these institutions on Indigenous communities, highlighting their resilience and ongoing quest for justice.
The narrative intertwines personal stories with a broader historical context, showcasing the strength and unity of a community confronting its painful past. ‘Sugarcane’ not only exposes the atrocities committed but also celebrates the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples as they heal and reclaim their cultural identity. This poignant film serves as a testament to their perseverance and the ongoing fight for recognition and reconciliation.

The film explores the darker side of the magazine, looking at how founder Hugh Hefner's excesses spiraled out of control as the years passed and how - over time - he came to be regarded by many in his orbit as a sinister, monstrous character. There were allegations of drug use, coercion, abuse and sexual assault in his empire, most of all at the Playboy Mansion itself, and this film features first-hand testimony from those that were there at the time.

This gripping docuseries delves into the shocking realities of toxic and dangerous past relationships. Featuring a mix of real-life testimonials, bodycam footage, and reenactments, it uncovers the darkest sides of betrayal, violence, and manipulation that go far beyond what most people imagine. Each of the episodes explores a different terrifying story, making every installment feel fresh and unpredictable. From cases of fraud and stalking to heart-wrenching custody battles and even murder, the series keeps you on edge as you witness the devastation left behind by these monstrous ex-partners.
The series taps into the universal fear of not truly knowing those closest to us. The fast-paced episodes bring in real police footage, victim accounts, and expert analysis, building a complete narrative of how these relationships took a horrifying turn. With all four episodes now available in a single film, ‘Worst Ex Ever’ is a must-watch for anyone drawn to true crime, though viewer discretion is advised due to the heavy and potentially triggering themes of abuse, manipulation, and violence.

The series showcases what happened in 1993 in Waco, Texas when cult leader David Koresh faced off against the federal government in a siege of 51 days. In the first episode, gunfire erupts when federal agents arrive at the Branch Davidian compound with a search warrant. Hostage negotiators later attempt to get the children out of the compound.
David Koresh was a member and later a leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious sect and offshoot of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, a movement based at the Mount Carmel Center outside Waco, Texas. His apocalyptic Biblical teachings attracted various followers. He became subject to allegations about polygamy and child sexual abuse by former Branch Davidian associates, although investigation by authorities found no conclusive evidence. Further allegations related to the Branch Davidians' stockpiling of weapons led the FBI to launch a raid on the group's Mount Carmel compound in February 1993.

Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives. It shapes the way we live, the way we love and the way we make sense of the world. It is the root of our deepest wounds. Dr. Maté gives us a new vision: a trauma-informed society in which parents, teachers, physicians, policy-makers and legal personnel are not concerned with fixing behaviors, making diagnoses, suppressing symptoms and judging, but seek instead to understand the sources from which troubling behaviors and diseases spring in the wounded human soul.
The interconnected epidemics of anxiety, chronic illness and substance abuse are, according to Dr Gabor Maté, normal. But not in the way you might think. One in five Americans are diagnosed with mental illness in any given year. Suicide is the second most common cause of death in the US for youth aged 15-24, and kills over 700,000 people a year globally and 48,300 in the USA . Drug overdose kills 81,000 in the USA annually. The autoimmunity epidemic affects 24 million people in the USA. What is going on?
“So much of what we call abnormality in this culture is actually normal responses to an abnormal culture. The abnormality does not reside in the pathology of individuals, but in the very culture that drives people into suffering and dysfunction.” — Gabor Maté