Netflix’s Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror is a Struggle of Uncertainty

September 11, 2001, was a turning point in world history. What followed was the “War on Terror,” which many believe led to the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror is a five-part docuseries that revisits the attacks and how the country responded. It’s currently running on Netflix.

The show is broken into five parts – The System Was Blinking Red, A Place Of Danger, The Dark Side, The Good War and Graveyard Of Empires. While there are no explicit spoilers for those coming into these instalments cold, the U.S. is still coping with those events today as it continues to be involved in various military interventions abroad.

– Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror Review does not contain any spoilers –

The World Trade Center Turning Point: A Grim Reality

The documentary series poses this grim question with forceful and often disturbing evidence: How did we get here?

The Americans learned in school that 9/11 was a watershed moment in their history. Its aftermath forever changed how they view their security and civil liberties. Even if they put it out of their minds entirely — the evidence presented can still be shocking.

The fact is that 9/11 was a day of momentous shock. It was a breaking point for the United States – a scar on their collective consciousness – and it united everyone in a way not seen since the Pearl Harbour incident. This adds a geopolitical element to five hours plus spent on historical events during which it’s hard not to think about what you’d have done if you were president at the time.

Also Read: Sitting In Limbo (2020) Review

Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror Memorializes the Incident

The most potent elements of the series are the real-time phone calls from people trapped in the collapsing buildings—some of whom knew they would likely not survive—as well as footage from outside the towers.

The show also effectively uses “faux-vérité” techniques, such as slowing down video to emphasize the human element in news reports or blurring images to highlight that multiple pathoses are determining the twist events behind every tragedy.

In the vein of Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror is a docuseries that showcases a vast spectrum of viewpoints on an event with global impact.

The docuseries is a fascinating attempt at capturing the true nature of the tragedy, which is arguably something that has not always been done justice. Through interviews and video clips, we’re presented with a wide array of perspectives — from 9/11 survivors and family members who lost loved ones (including those who were never found) to politicians and reporters on and off the scene — the grim events that unfolded that day are brought back into complete focus.

Turning Point: On Shaky Moral Ground and a Collision Course of Events

Thousands of lives were altered irrevocably by 9/11. For years after the attacks, one’s recollections of watching the news, hearing the endlessly repeated tunes, feeling the fear and rage were hushed within oneself.

The whole world was affected by what happened on 9/11, not just New York City or America. The narrative of Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror keeps getting more and more emotionally wrenching. This gripping, highly detailed docuseries is filled with stories that will stir outrage and tears.

It provides a very effective reminder of just how terrifying and, frankly, unbelievable it all seemed at the time — and just how brave and stoic so many people were in that disconcerting and violent moment.

Today, however, all eyes are on Afghanistan as the longest war in U.S. history seems closer to coming to an end. The only problem is that no one knows how it will play out or what will eventually happen there.

Stream It or Skip It?

While I was watching the series, I felt anger, sadness, disbelief, and agitation. That’s what the filmmakers want you to feel; because if you’re not affected by these feelings, then you might believe that 9/11 is all in the past and that nothing could ever be like that ever again.

The documentary was well-produced and contained some harrowing video footage. But too often, the program’s attention to technique overshadows content. However, the documentary fails to unite and remains disjointed.

It comprises disparate segments that range from history, patriotism, journalism, conspiracy theory, and artistic expression. There are no clear transitions between these segments either. As it leaps forward with its narration, it doesn’t focus or elaborate on issues like civil liberties and is a superficial view of the incident.

Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror is streaming on Netflix.