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The Brainwashing of My Dad

Play trailer 1:37 Poster for The Brainwashing of My Dad 2016 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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58% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Filmmaker Jen Senko examines how the media influenced her father to switch from democrat to conservative.
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The Brainwashing of My Dad

Critics Reviews

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Marsha Lederman Globe and Mail 04/01/2016
2/4
In addition to an overreliance on Skype and silly effects such as laugh tracks - the film's examination feels shallow. Go to Full Review
Neil Genzlinger New York Times 03/18/2016
Right-wing outlets may be exploiting humanity's ugly side, but Ms. Senko's frail-looking father (who died in January at 93) isn't so much the face of the phenomenon as he is a small and not especially representative sample of it. Go to Full Review
Michael Rechtshaffen Los Angeles Times 03/18/2016
Although Senko ultimately overplays Hillary Clinton's "vast right-wing conspiracy" card, her film, with its timely "Trumpian" reverberations, nevertheless serves up some compelling food for thought. Go to Full Review
David Berry National Post 03/31/2016
Maybe I could say that if Christopher Guest rounded up his usual troupe and did a verbatim, shot-for-shot remake, it would be one of the funniest films of the year. Go to Full Review
Prairie Miller WBAI Radio 03/26/2016
Impressively tracks a family phenomenon via media mind controlled ditto-heads, brainwashed staged interventions, angry white men, and drive time as the geography of destiny. But lacks further scrutiny into shadow corporate complicity and a tanked economy. Go to Full Review
Kam Williams Baret News 03/26/2016
3/4
A thought-provoking examination of the media's effect on Boobus Americana. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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G Apr 3 If conservatives were able to “brainwash” so many people via AM radio and FOX NEWS, imagine how successful they would be if they had control of CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, PBS, New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Hollywood, Netflix, virtually ALL of our social media platforms, and our ENTIRE education system, Kindergarten through College. What’s really funny about this movie though, is that the only real brainwashing that occurs is at the end when she subscribes him to actual liberal propaganda and, like that scene in A Clockwork Orange, forces him to watch CNN and MSNBC …until he dies a “happy” and ACTUALLY brainwashed liberal. See more mark h @RT59319417 08/07/2025 It’s absolutely wild to Me the filmmaker does not once contemplate their premise may be incorrect- perhaps she should look herself in the mirror and ponder if it is not she herself that has been brainwashed See more Leanne T @RT72186658 09/08/2024 This 2015 documentary does an outstanding job of tracing the corrosive effects of right wing talk radio and Fox News. The subject is pursued on multiple levels ranging from family accounts to interviews with media experts. If you’re wondering what has caused the rising polarization and bitterness gripping America, this film offers great insight. See more Aaron R @MaineMaestro 10/05/2023 Title is extremely misleading. Premise is never realized: there's about 2 minutes of the director's father actually in the documentary. Terribly disappointing. See more 01/20/2021 It's a haunting tale that so many of us have faced at home with our family members and parents. I related so much to this documentary that it was frightening. Thank you for spreading the word and I hope that we get more accountability in the media here soon. See more 01/18/2021 Eye-opening and very entertaining in spite of its subject. I knew that Fox etc were spreading lies and conspiracy theories, but not how deliberate they were. This movie was produced before the rise of Trumpism, but for me it completely explains how MAGA happened. It explains the angry mobs storming the capitol on 1/6/21, many there to kill. The movie ends on a somewhat upbeat note for the filmmaker's brainwashed dad, and I hope that our country and democracy also end up well. Watch this. See more Read all reviews
The Brainwashing of My Dad

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Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Jen Senko examines how the media influenced her father to switch from democrat to conservative.
Director
Jen Senko
Producer
Jen Senko, Adam Rackoff, Matthew Modine
Screenwriter
Jen Senko, Melodie Bryant, Kala Mandrake
Distributor
Gravitas Ventures
Production Co
Cinco Dedos Peliculas
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 18, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 15, 2017
Runtime
1h 35m
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