Enemies of the State Movie Review

The new documentary, “Enemies of the State,” starts by giving us some Oscar Wilde, “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” That’s for sure… and you’ll see it playout here.
After that quote, the parents of Matt Dehart, Paul and Leann, tell us about their son. Like most people his age, they tell us that he grew up on the internet and was encouraged to be a free and critical thinker. Starting this way, the film gives the illusion of something more than it turns out to be.
For me, it could be that going in knowing it’s produced by Sonia Kennebeck and Ines Hofmann Kanna, who also produced award-winning “National Bird,” I was expecting too much. Having said that, it’s also worth mentioning that this was executive produced by “The Act of Killing” and “The Fog of War” producer Errol Morris. Let this be a warning to not do the same and just see it for the content. It’s not a bad film, but it can’t be exactly like another.

When we’re introduced to the Dehart’s, we’re given footage from their past to view. We’re also shown interviews by people who knew them best. Paul and Leann Dehart are interviewed, as well. To help us see the bigger picture, Kennebeck uses reenactments to sell us the idea that this average family wouldn’t ever do anything to hurt their country. She also implies that suggesting such a thing is contemptible. I found it fascinating that it’s up to you as the viewer to decide whether they’re in the right or wrong.

Unfortunately, Kennebeck leaves unturned a few stones she should have unearthed. Her decision to do this leaves a gap in the narrative, which hurts the amount of force this could have otherwise hit you with. You find out that Hacker Matt is deeply involved in Anonymous, which is an activist movement known for cyber-attacks against anyone it wants to bring down, including governments. He, himself, is accused of several crimes, including child pornography. Hardly any of this is touched on in the film, which I considered a big miss overall.

We hear from them as to why they ran to Canada to seek asylum. You’ll also eventually learn how that played out. As the film progresses, a different picture of who the Dehart family is, and you can’t help but decide for yourself whether or not Matt’s guilty of the crimes he’s accused of.

Not so fast! Don’t get too comfortable with your initial assessment. I say this because you hear more about some of the victims almost an hour and twenty minutes in. This is somewhat daunting because it’s hard not to then question and possibly change your mind about everything you just witnessed. The reason to do this to the audience is unclear.

On top of that, Matt is a “no show” for his interview with the filmmakers, so we never hear directly from him. This, along with other missed opportunities, hurt what otherwise could have been a highly rated documentary. You’re, instead, left with the feeling of having watched an inexperienced hand take a crack at the case. However, walking away with that impression shows that the film, in fact, demonstrates the matter is not so cut and dry. An exciting spin on things? I’m not so sure. I’d like to add that I would have suggested this be made into a limited series instead of a film. The evidence and those involved deserved more attention, especially the victims.

*In Theaters and On Demand July 30, 2021