Cover-Up

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Cover-Up

R

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1h 57m

Documentary

History

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Popcornmeter

98%

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56 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

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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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

1d

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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Louisa Moore

Screen Zealots

Jan 21

A sharp, unflinching look at the constant tug-of-war between truth and power, showing how systemic secrecy and self-preservation can rot the foundations of democracy.

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Dorothy Woodend

The Tyee (British Columbia)

Jan 12

It is fascinating to witness Poitras push Hersh on certain aspects of his life’s work, revealing one of the unsung heroes of the story, namely Elizabeth Sarah Klein, the journalist’s wife of over 60 years.

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Patrick C

@Minimus 4h

If you're going to make a movie that completely whitewashes the career of a lunatic conspiracy theorist, at least make it watchable...

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Johnzo f

@Johnzo 20h

Such an engaging and informative movie. Yes, we’ve heard of Woodward and Bernstein, but not really heard of Seymour Hersh. Say what you will of Kissinger, but to imagine the current attorney general having a private meeting with a young Hersh is inconceivable.

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Rachael C

@NurseRachael 1d

He’s a brilliant guy that doesn’t back down from the HARD STUFF, but his personality seems to really grind some people. I found him exceptionally engaging, honest and dedicated

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Judi L

@Solobarlady 3d

As Hersh said, we are a brutal people…no surprise playing out today

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Max M

@mandelbrot 4d

Well made. Bit boring.

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Derek C.

@bussboy 6d

Honestly, really sad and frightening how the stories from now directly compare to the stories as far back as probably...ever.

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Mark Obenhaus

Director

Laura Poitras

Director

Seymour Hersh

Self

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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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