Watch Wormwood

Wormwood is a Netflix miniseries consisting of six episodes that premiered in December 2017. It is directed by renowned documentary filmmaker Errol Morris and stars Peter Sarsgaard, Molly Parker, Christian Camargo, and Tim Blake Nelson. The show is a blend of documentary and drama, seamlessly switching between reenactments and interviews with key players.

The title of the show comes from psychoactive civil war-era drugs extracted from a wormwood plant. These drugs were used during World War II for mind control experiments by the US government's intelligence agency, to create "truth serums" that could break the will of enemy combatants.

The show is based on the story of Dr. Frank Olson, a scientist who worked for the CIA during the Cold War. Olson fell to his death from the 13th floor of a New York City hotel in 1953, in what was originally labeled as a suicide. Decades later, the truth about his death was revealed and his family filed a lawsuit against the government.

The show explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding Dr. Olson's death, delving into the government's involvement in mind control experiments and the ensuing paranoia and fear that coloured the Cold War era. The show's main character, Dr. Olson, is played convincingly by Peter Sarsgaard, as a vulnerable and conflicted scientist. His relationship with his wife (played by Molly Parker) is also prominently featured, as she struggles with the truth about her husband's death.

Christian Camargo plays Dr. Sidney Gottlieb, a key figure in the CIA's mind control programmes, who is involved in Olson's experiments. Camargo delivers an understated yet disturbing performance as a man who believes that mind control is a necessary evil, even when it has devastating consequences.

The show blends present-day interviews with dramatic reenactments, bringing to life the backstories of the people and events surrounding Olson's death. This makes for a fascinating viewing experience, as the viewer is taken on Dr. Olson's journey of discovery, paralleled by the narrative of his family's search for truth and justice.

Wormwood also introduces a scientific sub-theme of neurochemistry, exploring the limits of medical research, the potential of LSD, and how these shape the government's perspectives on these topics. This sub-theme may appear to be odd to some, especially since the series is mainly focused on the mysterious death of Dr. Olson, but, in the end, it helps in illuminating the extent of the government's mind-altering experiments which facilitated the process of post-Cold War scientific discoveries.

The show raises questions of morality, ethics, and what it means to be a good American citizen: Should the government have the power to experiment on its own citizens? How can we trust an organization that operates in secrecy? How can we balance national security interests with individual rights? Wormwood explores these complex issues, and makes it clear that there are no simple answers.

Overall, Wormwood is an excellent show that combines elements of espionage, science, and morality, with breathtaking performances by its cast. Errol Morris's skillful direction makes for engaging storytelling, and the show's blend of fact and fiction makes for a unique viewing experience. A fascinating and thought-provoking series, Wormwood is not to be missed.

Wormwood is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between December 15, 2017 and on Netflix