The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) recounts the explosive fallout from the violent clashes at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago: organizers and activists — including leaders of the Students for a Democratic Society, the Yippies, and a Black Panther — are charged with conspiracy and inciting a riot under a Nixon-era, politically driven prosecution. What follows is a notorious, theatrical courtroom battle presided over by a belligerent judge, where pro bono defense attorneys try to mount a case against a government determined to make an example of dissenters. The defendants clash with one another over tactics and principles, while the sidelining and mistreatment of Bobby Seale underscores the racial injustice at the heart of the era. Seeing this film, you’ll get a tense, fast-moving legal drama fused with historical context and political urgency. Expect sharp, quotable courtroom exchanges, moments of dark humor and outrageous protest antics that undercut the defendants’ legal strategy, and wrenching scenes that expose bias and abuse of power. The film alternates between heated ideological debates, theatrical showmanship, and human moments of frustration and solidarity, offering both a courtroom thriller’s momentum and a sobering reminder of the stakes of political protest. If you’re drawn to politically charged historical dramas, courtroom battles, or movies that probe civil rights and free speech, this delivers a provocative, emotionally charged viewing experience that feels both period-specific and resonant with contemporary debates.

Actors: Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Sacha Baron Cohen

Director: Aaron Sorkin

Runtime: 129 min

Genres: Drama, History, Thriller

7.0 /10 76 /100 7.7 /10 7.4 /10