American Jihad (film)

Last updated
American Jihad
American Jihad film poster.jpg
Directed by Alison Ellwood
Narrated by Liev Schreiber
Production
Producers Alex Gibney
Sarah Dowland
Stacey Offman
Jeff Fager
Michael Radutzky
Matt Goldberg
Brandon Carroll
John Logan Pierson
Richard Perello
Original release
Network Showtime
ReleaseMarch 11, 2017 (2017-03-11)

American Jihad is a 2017 documentary film directed by Alison Ellwood.

Contents

Premise

American Jihad is a documentary about domestic terrorism in the United States. Inspired by the 2016 film Patriots Day , it explores how young men in the United States are radicalized and prevention against such radicalization. It also discusses the image of Anwar al-Awlaki and his influence on American to join the Jihadist cause.

Production and release

American Jihad is directed by Alison Ellwood with executive producer Alex Gibney. [1] It was released on Showtime on March 11, 2017. [2]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times wrote that American Jihad, "finds two main commonalities among the young men it follows: the need for stability and the misguided belief they'd found it in the teachings of dangerous propagandists such as Al Qaeda's Anwar Awlaki." [3] The New York Times wrote, "the film would be better if it teased out its ideas about personal interventions and how mainstream Muslims might be brought into such an approach, but it's still full of food for thought served at just the right moment." [4] Rolling Stone wrote that it was "essential viewing in Trump era." [5]

References

  1. Pattern, Dominic (31 January 2017). "'American Jihad' Docu Coming From Showtime; Inspired By 'Patriots Day'". Deadline. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  2. "SHOWTIME TO AIR AMERICAN JIHAD". Showtime. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  3. Ali, Lorraine (25 March 2017). "Review: Smart and measured Showtime documentary 'American Jihad' examines roots of home-grown terrorism". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  4. Genzlinger, Neil (24 March 2017). "Review: 'American Jihad' and the Problem With the Internet" . Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  5. Stuart, Tessa (30 March 2017). "'American Jihad': Why New Doc Is Essential Viewing in Trump Era" . Retrieved 13 October 2025.