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Surveilled

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Surveilled

2024

1h 0m

Documentary

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9 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

SURVEILLED tracks Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ronan Farrow as he investigates the growing business of commercial spyware, following the story from New York City to Tel Aviv, Israel, a center of espionage cybertechnology. Once a target of covert surveillance himself, Farrow explores the multi-billion-dollar industry, addressing the contradictory uses and implications of phone hacking -- the ability to monitor criminal activity and the attendant threats to civil liberties.

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Graeme Blundell

The Australian

This is a very scary film, troublesome and upsetting, made expertly and cinematically by its two directors.

Dec 10, 2024

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Lucy Mangan

Guardian

Just buy paper, a pen and a pigeon. If that seems over the top to you now, I assure you it won’t by the time you finish Ronan Farrow’s tight hour of terror-documentary, Surveilled.

Nov 26, 2024

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

What Mr. Farrow does in his very concise, urgent documentary is track how governments and worse are using, abusing and will continue to employ technology by which they can pickpocket your personal data.

Nov 22, 2024

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

A scary and hard-hitting documentary about the ever-expanding world of digital spyware.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 9, 2025

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John Serba

Decider

For better or worse, we’re more informed about very bad things after watching Surveilled. STREAM IT, then go pour yourself 17 stiff drinks.

Dec 6, 2024

Full Review

Cody Dericks

Next Best Picture

The film fails to make a worthy case for itself as anything other than an hour-long watchable version of an important magazine article.

Rated: 4/10

Nov 28, 2024

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Gabe Q

I thought this was overall a great film with some important information. It was just my 'feeling' but I thought it focused a bit much on Ronan and framing him as a hero/protagonist rather than just someone helping to convey the info. He is handsome and has nice hair and all, but I just felt it was a little too focused on him. I didn't think he needed to necessarily be an off camera narrator, but just toning down his on camera time would have been good. I could have also used some more concrete breakdown of what the potential could be with this issue and how it might effect people down the line, especially as it could apply to social justice advocates or "enemies" of the incoming administration here in the US.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

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Ham V

Excellent documentary. Farrow doing his always informative and well researched work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/05/24

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Chris S

I was scammed last month and had to look for a way to get my stolen funds back. I was referred to an expert and I texted them on (hack4net8@gmail .com) They make sure I recovered all I lost. I’m so speechless and surprised how it really happened.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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Adria C

Needed to know how the near future can be and the present in several "democracies" like Spain with catalan People.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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Jordi F

A clear explanation of what the Catalangate is and how dangerous the digital surveillance can be.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

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Audience Member

Surveilled offers a sobering and unsettling look into the extent to which governments, particularly the US government, utilize technology to monitor its citizens. The documentary delves into the pervasive nature of surveillance, highlighting its impact on political dissidents, journalists, and everyday individuals. While the film effectively raises awareness about privacy concerns and the potential for abuse of power, it occasionally falls short in providing a deeper analysis of the complex legal and ethical implications. Nonetheless, Surveilled is a compelling watch that should spark important conversations about the balance between security and individual liberty in the digital age.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

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Matthew O'Neill

Director

Perri Peltz

Director

Ronan Farrow

Self

Ronan Farrow

Writer

Matthew O'Neill

Writer

Perri Peltz

Writer

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Synopsis

SURVEILLED tracks Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ronan Farrow as he investigates the growing business of commercial spyware, following the story from New York City to Tel Aviv, Israel, a center of espionage cybertechnology. Once a target of covert surveillance himself, Farrow explores the multi-billion-dollar industry, addressing the contradictory uses and implications of phone hacking -- the ability to monitor criminal activity and the attendant threats to civil liberties.

Director: Matthew O'Neill, Perri Peltz
Producer: Matthew O'Neill, Perri Peltz, Ronan Farrow, Beth Morrissey, Unjin Lee
Screenwriter: Ronan Farrow, Matthew O'Neill, Perri Peltz
Distributor: Max
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2024
Runtime: 1h 0m

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