Citizenfour is a gripping documentary that delves into the world of government surveillance and whistleblowing. If you found this genre compelling, here are 16 other movies that explore similar themes of privacy, espionage, and the fight for truth. Check out the trailer for Citizenfour if you haven’t seen it yet!
1. Zero Days
Zero Days is a documentary that investigates the Stuxnet computer virus, which was allegedly developed by the U.S. and Israeli governments to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program. Directed by Alex Gibney, the film features interviews with cybersecurity experts and government officials.
2. The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
This documentary chronicles the life and tragic death of programming prodigy and internet activist Aaron Swartz. Directed by Brian Knappenberger, it highlights Swartz’s contributions to internet freedom and his battles with the legal system.
3. Snowden
Snowden is a biographical political thriller directed by Oliver Stone, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Edward Snowden. The film dramatizes Snowden’s decision to leak classified information from the NSA to the public.
4. The Fifth Estate
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange, The Fifth Estate explores the creation and rise of WikiLeaks. The film delves into the ethical dilemmas and conflicts that arise from the publication of classified information.
5. We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks
This documentary, directed by Alex Gibney, provides an in-depth look at the history of WikiLeaks and its controversial founder, Julian Assange. It also examines the impact of leaked U.S. military and diplomatic documents.
6. Terms and Conditions May Apply
Terms and Conditions May Apply is a documentary that investigates how corporations and governments use the information we agree to share through online terms and conditions. Directed by Cullen Hoback, it reveals the hidden dangers of digital agreements.
7. The Great Hack
This Netflix documentary explores the Cambridge Analytica scandal and how data was used to influence elections. Directed by Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, it features key players like Brittany Kaiser and David Carroll.
8. Risk
Risk is a documentary by Laura Poitras, the same director of Citizenfour, that focuses on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Assange’s life and the controversies surrounding him.
9. The Social Dilemma
This Netflix documentary-drama hybrid explores the dangerous human impact of social networking. Directed by Jeff Orlowski, it features interviews with tech experts who warn about the dark side of social media.
10. Dirty Wars
Dirty Wars follows investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill as he uncovers the hidden truths behind America’s covert wars. Directed by Rick Rowley, the film exposes the impact of secret military operations on global politics.
11. The Lives of Others
This German drama, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, tells the story of a Stasi officer who becomes emotionally involved with the people he’s spying on. The film stars Ulrich Mühe and Martina Gedeck.
12. Enemy of the State
Enemy of the State is a thriller starring Will Smith and Gene Hackman, directed by Tony Scott. The film follows a lawyer who becomes the target of a corrupt NSA official after accidentally receiving evidence of a politically motivated murder.
13. The Conversation
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Conversation stars Gene Hackman as a surveillance expert who becomes paranoid after suspecting that a couple he’s spying on will be murdered. The film is a classic exploration of privacy and moral dilemmas.
14. Good Night, and Good Luck
This historical drama, directed by George Clooney, stars David Strathairn as journalist Edward R. Murrow. The film focuses on Murrow’s battle against Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunts during the 1950s.
15. All the President’s Men
All the President’s Men is a political thriller that follows journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they uncover the Watergate scandal. Directed by Alan J. Pakula, the film stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
16. The Insider
Directed by Michael Mann, The Insider stars Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. The film tells the true story of a whistleblower who exposes the tobacco industry’s knowledge of the harmful effects of smoking.
