Documentaries are a captivating blend of real life stories with thrill and excitement. These films shed light and bring awareness to otherwise unknown stories, satisfying society’s curiosity about the world and other people, inviting us into a story we wouldn’t have known existed.
The demand for documentaries grew by 142% from the years 2018 to 2021, making them the fastest growing genre on streaming platforms. The genre continues to grow, prompted by true crime and the audience’s need for authenticity.
Modern documentaries often use high budget film techniques that make the films more sophisticated and interesting for the viewer. Producers like Netflix use these techniques to make it feel less like traditional journalism and more like a cinematic experience.
“The documentary “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable” is my favorite documentary because the story of her surviving the shark attack and continuing to surf is very interesting to me. I love documentaries because they can be inspirational and entertaining,” shared Gabriela Mileo, a junior.
Many documentaries earn nominations for prestigious awards throughout the film industry. The “Perfect Neighbor” is an Oscar nominated 2025 true crime documentary directed by Geeta Gandbhir. The film tells the story of a real life neighborhood conflict in Ocala Florida, which ended in the fatal shooting of Ajike Owens on June 2, 2023. The film has a unique style, being reliant on raw police bodycam footage, dashboard videos, 9-1-1 calls and neighborhood cameras.
Although usually a fan-favorite, true crime is not the only type of documentary. There are many sub-genres of documentaries: nature, historical, biographical, environmental, sports, and docuseries. All these sub genres are what make documentaries so unique, viewers can pick a film based on their personal interests and traits. Individuals that tend to be high in curiosity or empathy may be more interested in darker nonfiction films.
“Even though I am not a documentary junkie, I enjoy watching any documentary that occurs in South Carolina, especially since I have lived in this state all my life,” stated Mr. Mendenhall, one of our art teachers.
Documentaries capture an audience and invite them into a real-life story. Some are relatable and some produce “What just happened?” moments. Overall, documentaries highlight societies’ need for genuinity in a world full of artificial.
Photo Credit: Google
