The Brainwashing of My Dad

 (1,128)6.61 h 29 min201613+
A filmmaker explores the radical change of her once Democratic father to an angry right-wing fanatic after his immersion in talk radio and Fox News. She discovers this to be a powerful phenomenon that has divided families across the nation.
Directors
Jen Senko
Starring
Matthew ModineJen SenkoFrank Senko
Genres
Documentary
Subtitles
English [CC]
Audio languages
English

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More details

Supporting actors
Eileen SenkoJeff CohenGreg MooresGeorge LakoffSteve RendallFrank Luntz
Producers
Jen SenkoMatthew ModineAdam Rackoff
Studio
Gravitas Ventures
Content advisory
Sexual contentdrug usefoul languageviolence
Purchase rights
Stream instantly Details
Format
Prime Video (streaming online video)
Devices
Available to watch on supported devices

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars

1128 global ratings

  1. 71% of reviews have 5 stars
  2. 12% of reviews have 4 stars
  3. 4% of reviews have 3 stars
  4. 2% of reviews have 2 stars
  5. 11% of reviews have 1 stars

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Top reviews from the United States

Aanel VictoriaReviewed in the United States on December 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars
Massively important film
Verified purchase
This is a massively important film that I encourage everyone to watch. Knowing the facts and the history contained in this extremely well-researched documentary, which analyzes the media and politics from 1959 to the present, is the only way we are going to recover from the disinformation, lies, and propaganda perpetuated by the so-called news media and which has resulted in the erosion of our national institutions.

I think the title of the film is slightly misleading. Although the filmmaker's father serves as a jumping-off point for her investigative research and analysis, the film as a whole covers so much more, and so many experts are called in to provide their input and fact-based statistics and historical context, that one would be mistaken to think that the film is only a personal journey involving one person's family. What the film covers is so much broader and more important than that, and the documentary is right up there with a Frontline exposé or better.

Please take the time to watch it. You will be fascinated, mesmerized, and truly educated.

I particularly recommend this film for anyone in, or contemplating getting into, politics or journalism.
138 people found this helpful
JZReviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars
Politics can become reasonable again. Watch this to understand how America became so divided.
Verified purchase
I've been wondering for the last 25 years how politics got so far off the rails. This explains it in a way that makes so much sense and follows with my experience in trying to comprehend America's descent into partisanship. Thank you for making this documentary!
172 people found this helpful
joshReviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
1.0 out of 5 stars
Wouldn't recommend it to anyone
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A propaganda movie against propaganda. Oh the irony.
123 people found this helpful
PepiReviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars
Would help if more people saw this.
Verified purchase
Would help if more people saw this. I always thought the right was so angry and it so hard to be around them
119 people found this helpful
G. M. HudsonReviewed in the United States on July 20, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars
The research done and shared is excellent, helps connect the dots from how we got ...
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The title is off putting if you want someone who has been brainwashed by talk radio and fox news to watch it. How talk radio became a thing is featured. The research done and shared is excellent, helps connect the dots from how we got to where we are now in a big picture sort of way. Interesting and enlightening, also scary from the political view. The Dad becomes less angry and mean when he is not exposed as much to fox news and talk radio and by the end of his life he had changed more to his earlier, funnier, loving self.
110 people found this helpful
Alex LaMontReviewed in the United States on June 11, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful into the trajectory of stories and dialogue.
Verified purchase
I have to recommend this to everyone. The actual documentary parts might be a little rough the message is powerful.

Be always aware. You never know who might be tugging at your strings. Watch it with an open mind and you won't be disappointed on the other side. I promise.
99 people found this helpful
Third Stage LensmanReviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019
1.0 out of 5 stars
Lacks Empathy
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This film starts from the presumption that conservatives are wrongheaded boors and bigots, and that any conservative arguments constitute "brainwashing." It fails to have any sort of empathy for her father, denying him any spark of intelligence or agency, and for that matter humanity.

Instead of asking why her father adopted certain ideas or to understand those ideas, the film attacks certain media outlets -- and her father. I think it would be more effective if she discussed these issues with greater nuance, compassion, and empathy.
44 people found this helpful
Iggy PopReviewed in the United States on August 8, 2019
1.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn’t finish it!
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I like the premise of a person witnessing a loved one change and evolve over time. However, this is just another liberal propaganda movie like all the others.

Anyone can go too far to the Right or Left. Before Trump was elected President, it was very simple. A far-right extremist will eventually be in agreement with a far-left extremist, but for different reasons. An example idle this is abortion. A far-right extremist would be for abortion because aborting an unwanted child saves the taxpayers money . Whereas a far-left extremist would be for abortion because it becomes a feminist issue for them. It really was fascinating to see that.

Unfortunately, it is not simple anymore because he Left are now so off-the-chart left extreme, that nothing makes sense anymore.

I have witnessed way more left extremism that is downright scary. TDS is very real and these people need help. I was a life-long Democrat, but not anymore. They are completely unhinged and dangerous.

Good luck to all, and remember to love one another. Love is the only thing that matters.
34 people found this helpful
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