The Alabama Solution

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2:05

The Alabama Solution

2025

1h 57m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

In 2019, filmmakers visit an Alabama prison to film a revival meeting. Off camera, incarcerated men whisper a message: terrible things are going on here and being kept secret. This sparks an immersive six-year investigation to discover the reality behind the walls of one of the nation's deadliest prison systems. Through unprecedented direct access and video shot on contraband cell phones, the filmmakers learn from the men inside about a suspicious and violent death. The story unfolds in real time, revealing it isn't an isolated incident and that the official version appears far from the truth. What follows is a shocking story of brutality, corruption, and a system in collapse. As the men fight for their own survival, they embark on a campaign of resistance, against all odds.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Nov 11

Harrowing to watch but essential.

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Alissa Wilkinson

New York Times

Oct 3

Bringing several types of filmmaking, amateur and professional, together for a movie like this makes that message all the more powerful.

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Oct 3

The movie, its many strands brilliantly threaded for maximum impact, is also an argument for the necessity of independent inquiry, and for a reassessment of what a “true crime” documentary means when the lion’s share of attention goes to sensationalized.

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Jan 1

A

From what is documented in this movie, it looks as though there ought to be a special place in hell for people claiming to be Christians who support and defend this prison system.

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John Serba

Decider

Oct 16

The Alabama Solution is the year’s most essential documentary.

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Oct 16

A daring and infuriating documentary about prison abuse in Alabama, a place where there’s not exactly a lot of political will among elected officials to do anything about it.

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Mark B

@ferrisbueller Dec 27

Everyone should watch this documentary. Spread the word.

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lawrenceb56

Nov 24

Might be the most powerful and horrifying true crime documentary I’ve ever seen. Heartbreaking and brave. Alabama DOC, you seem to heap shame upon yourself every time the opportunity arises. As hard as it is to watch I encourage everyone to take the two hours to watch some absolutely amazing film makers from inside and outside of the prison system in Alabama. Tell others and ask them to watch and spread the word as well. This should not be happening in America no matter who is president and no matter where you live in this country, if you can turn a blind eye to this kind of treatment, you have to question your own humanity. I hope this wins all kinds of awards and is seen worldwide. Thank you, Mr. Jarecki and everyone involved.

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Jaret M

@JaretMorlan Nov 4

Powerful and essential, this frustrating doc demonstrates the persistent racisms and evolved slavery that is teh prison system in Alabama. Part social justice documentary and part spy story, the incredible heroism of teh inmates trying to expose the corruption while incarcerated is both heartbreaking and inspiring. What continues to make the blood boil is the tone deaf an explicitly bias attitude of Alabama officials who profit on a prison system that remains #1 for inmate deaths in the whole country. A must see doc.

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Keith K

@Peacemaker17 Oct 24

Christ on the Cross, this was not an easy watch. Man. Like, you imagine prison’s bad, but, somehow still American and democratic, with a small minimum of rights protected. Nope. Absolutely haunting.

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Acacia P

@AcaciaMP Oct 23

One of the most appalling things I’ve ever seen! I don’t know how those prisons weren’t stormed by the military within the first 48 hours of this airing and every correctional officer that has more than 5 filed complaints investigated while the few that are left are supervised every second. It’s so sad that people can treat other people that way.

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Alexandra B

Oct 22

Everyone should watch this documentary. The prisoners literally put their lives on the line to make this and it is incredibly powerful.

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Andrew Jarecki

Director

Charlotte Kaufman

Director

Andrew Jarecki

Screenwriter

Charlotte Kaufman

Screenwriter

Page Marsella

Screenwriter

Andrew Jarecki

Producer

The Alabama Solution: Trailer

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Synopsis

In 2019, filmmakers visit an Alabama prison to film a revival meeting. Off camera, incarcerated men whisper a message: terrible things are going on here and being kept secret. This sparks an immersive six-year investigation to discover the reality behind the walls of one of the nation's deadliest prison systems. Through unprecedented direct access and video shot on contraband cell phones, the filmmakers learn from the men inside about a suspicious and violent death. The story unfolds in real time, revealing it isn't an isolated incident and that the official version appears far from the truth. What follows is a shocking story of brutality, corruption, and a system in collapse. As the men fight for their own survival, they embark on a campaign of resistance, against all odds.

Director: Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte Kaufman
Producer: Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte Kaufman
Screenwriter: Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte Kaufman, Page Marsella
Distributor: HBO Documentary Films
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films, Hit The Ground Running Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 10, 2025
Runtime: 1h 57m

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