Knock Down the House Documentary Review: Churning Out AOC Stans
Knock Down the House is a Netflix documentary that follows a few women as they launch grassroots campaigns to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. From the marketing, a lot of people might be going into the documentary thinking it will be dedicated to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The majority of the scenes are about AOC, but women from other states are also featured. I went into this documentary hoping to understand AOC more as a politician and the things she stands for. I walk away from it not really more knowledgable about her politics, but rather more drawn to her as a person.
Because this documentary was filmed as the primaries were being held, the filmmakers chose a handful of unconventional, aspiring politicians to follow, not knowing if they were going to win or make any lasting mark in politics. It was palpable in the air that year that a new wave of rising stars were prepping to make some changes in government. Maybe it’s because we all know how AOC’s story ends in this election, but the highlight of the documentary was definitely her. She has amazing oratory skills and social media prowess. From this documentary you will learn that by virtue of her background - living in a small apartment in New York with her partner, working in restaurants, feeling shy when knocking on strangers’ doors - she naturally connects and is relatable to everyday people. The other women in this documentary were important to include because they represent just how difficult it is to beat an incumbent candidate, and how empowering it is to even try. But humans love a winner, and so when this documentary shows AOC winning her election, it’s truly magical and emotional. If this was a documentary dedicated entirely to just AOC, I probably would’ve liked it more.
In conclusion…
I had a really good time watching this documentary. I found it engaging and empowering, because who doesn’t like a story of an underdog? A David facing a Goliath? I definitely do! But that might be the extent of it, because I don’t feel particularly educated in any way about the political process or AOC’s policy initiatives. It was more of a celebratory cheer fest for one of the best and most inspirational political victories of our generation so far.