Cover-Up

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Cover-Up

R

2025

1h 57m

Documentary

History

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Popcornmeter

98%

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58 Reviews

80%

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100+ Ratings

Cover-Up is a political thriller that traces the explosive career of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. Urgent and deeply reported, Cover-Up is both a portrait of a relentless journalist and an indictment of institutional violence and the cycles of impunity in the U.S. military and intelligence agencies. Drawing on exclusive access to Hersh’s notes, and interweaving primary documents and archival footage, Cover-Up captures the power and process of investigative journalism.

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Critics Consensus

Cover-Up shines a light on Seymour Hersh's remarkable career and the pugnacious commitment it required, making for an absorbing and instructive treatise on journalistic responsibility.

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Keith Uhlich

(All (Parentheses)) (Substack)

Jan 18

When it comes to the darker shades of Hersh's personality and pursuits, Poitras and Obenhaus tend to pull a Homer Simpson-style hedge retreat rather than probe deeper into the behavioral and psychological verdure.

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Robert Levin

Newsday

Jan 6

4/4

You don't have to be a journalist to appreciate this terrific movie.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Dec 29

“In case anybody cares,” he tells his directors at one point, “this is becoming less and less fun.” Speak for yourself.

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Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

3d

Cover-Up, the Netflix documentary focusing on award-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, is less a biography than sobering reminder of the importance of independent journalism.

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Lee Jutton

Film Inquiry

Feb 18

In any other year, it would be an important documentary; in 2025, it is essential.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Jan 31

A

The movie reveals Hersh to be a fascinating character -- a resourceful, relentless pursuer of truth. It is also an exploration of his "process" for developing news stories. Everyone who calls himself a reporter should watch this movie.

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David F

@dfulmer Mar 7

This is a really interesting documentary about the career of the journalist who uncovered numerous stories involving government and military corruption and atrocities. The filmmakers seem very interested in where and how Sy Hersch gets his anonymous sources and there is eventually an interview with one, showing how the sausage gets made. This is a time-spanning look at the importance of journalism and also a bit of a nostalgic look back at a time when newspapers played a really important role in society.

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Wayne M

@Wayne93 Feb 26

Cover-Up is a meticulous and fascinating look at the career of legendary American journalist Seymour Hersh. Directed by Laura Poitras, she waited twenty years to interview him and it was worth it. He takes us through his career and the many stories he broke. Hersh initially covered politics in Washington for the AP, before going freelance. He became famous in 1969 when he uncovered the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War. This was a national scandal that saw over 100 people killed. For decades since he has worked on the biggest stories in the US, including Watergate and the Abu Ghraib torture scandal. Now 88, he still works and seems vital. It is also a reminder of the value and power of true journalism and integrity.

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Walt S

@RT36330541 Feb 23

A very good profile of a super investigative writer blended with facinating history. Worthwhile viewing.

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Nancy S

@RT90978969 Feb 23

Seymour Hersh was our commencement speaker at Syracuse University's Newhouse School when I was on the faculty. I beg journalism and communications students in particular to watch this documentary. Know what My Lai is and why Abu Ghraib's exposure mattered. We don't like to look at our American underbelly, but we must.

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Avindu G

@RT86379654 Feb 13

Cover-up is a powerful statement on what true journalism mean. From My Lai to Abu Ghraib and Nord Stream to G+W what these men and women exposed to the world had at least altered the empire's course and opened avenues for the ones who would look beyond. A well directed documentary with great use of visuals to empower each dialogue. Good use of music and sound effects. Cover-up is a must watch for the lovers of this genre.

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Tyson B.

@TysonTethered Feb 7

Underscores why the fourth estate is essential to our democracy.

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Synopsis

Cover-Up is a political thriller that traces the explosive career of Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. Urgent and deeply reported, Cover-Up is both a portrait of a relentless journalist and an indictment of institutional violence and the cycles of impunity in the U.S. military and intelligence agencies. Drawing on exclusive access to Hersh’s notes, and interweaving primary documents and archival footage, Cover-Up captures the power and process of investigative journalism.

Director: Mark Obenhaus, Laura Poitras
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Praxis Films
Rating: R (Some Language)
Genre: Documentary, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 5, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 26, 2025
Runtime: 1h 57m

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