Watch Knock Down the House

Knock Down the House is a political documentary film released in 2019, directed by Rachel Lears, and produced by Lears and Robin Blotnick. The film follows the progressive campaigns of four working-class women, namely Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Amy Vilela, and Paula Jean Swearengin, as they seek to unseat long-time incumbents from their respective districts in the 2018 United States midterm elections.

The documentary primarily focuses on Ocasio-Cortez, a former bartender from the Bronx, who was challenging Joe Crowley, a ten-term incumbent who represented New York's 14th congressional district on behalf of the Democratic Party. Ocasio-Cortez's campaign was particularly noteworthy because she was a political outsider who was not endorsed by the Democratic establishment, yet she managed to generate significant grassroots support by embracing progressive policies such as universal healthcare, free college education, and a living wage.

The film also documents the campaign of Cori Bush, a registered nurse and Black Lives Matter activist, who was running against Lacy Clay, a 10-term incumbent and son of a civil rights leader, in Missouri's 1st congressional district; Amy Vilela, a progressive activist and Medicare-for-All supporter, who was challenging Ruben Kihuen, a 2-term incumbent in Nevada's 4th congressional district; and Paula Jean Swearengin, a coal miner's daughter and environmental activist who was running against Joe Manchin, a Democratic senator in West Virginia.

Throughout the movie, the audience is shown how these women balance their campaigns with their personal lives, demonstrating the real-life challenges of grassroots campaigning. Their underdog status also showcases the difficulties they face as they get their message across on a national stage.

One of the most striking elements of the film is its raw portrayal of the candidates' emotions, particularly as they face setbacks and obstacles along the way. The audience sees them struggling with their fears and self-doubt as they try to persuade voters to support them.

The film also shows the importance of intersectionality in progressive politics, as each candidate highlights how the issues they were fighting for – healthcare, criminal justice reform, environmentalism, and workers' rights – were interrelated and connected. The documentary captures the energy and hope that fueled the progressive movement, particularly in the wake of Donald Trump's election in 2016.

Overall, Knock Down the House is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary, showcasing the determination and power of individuals fighting against the odds to make a difference. It highlights the importance of grassroots activism and the need for progressive candidates to represent the working-class voices in America, challenging the status quo of machine politics. The film reminds us that real change doesn't come from the top but rather from those who are committed to social justice and the collective good.

Knock Down the House is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 80.