Watch Active Shooter: America Under Fire
- TV-14
- 2017
- 1 Season
-
8.6 (749)
Active Shooter: America Under Fire is a hard-hitting documentary series from SHOWTIME that explores the epidemic of mass shooting incidents in the United States. The show is presented in a series of eight episodes, each of which delves into a different shooting and the impact it had on the community where it took place. The series is narrated by Eric Harris and Will Beck, both of whom are survivors of separate mass shootings, and the show's executive producer is George Brauchler, a prosecutor who has tried several high-profile shooting cases. The three of them guide viewers through each episode, providing context for the events that unfolded and examining the aftermath of the tragedy. The show is unflinching in its portrayal of these shootings, and there are no easy answers or quick fixes presented. Rather, the focus is on understanding the complex factors that contribute to these incidents and the human toll they take. The series places a special emphasis on exploring the impact of shootings on the survivors, families, and first responders who are forever changed by these events. The show's first episode is a powerful introduction to the series, examining the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. The episode includes harrowing footage of the shooting itself and interviews with survivors and family members of the victims. This sets the tone for the rest of the series, which similarly blends intimate personal stories with an examination of the social and political factors that contribute to mass shootings. Other episodes in the series explore incidents like the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, the Sutherland Springs church shooting in Texas, and the Parkland school shooting in Florida. Each episode paints a detailed picture of the events leading up to the shooting, the response to the incident, and the long-term consequences for the people involved. Throughout the series, the filmmakers also seek to explore potential solutions to this epidemic. They examine efforts to improve our gun laws, increase mental health awareness, and address the societal factors that can lead to violence. Although the show doesn't sugarcoat the complexity of the issue, it does offer some glimmers of hope that we can take meaningful action to reduce the number of mass shootings in America. One of the most striking elements of Active Shooter: America Under Fire is the breadth of perspectives it includes. The series features interviews with survivors, family members, first responders, law enforcement officials, and academics, among others. This multifaceted approach helps to provide a nuanced, complex understanding of the issue at hand. Throughout the series, the filmmakers also bring a sense of urgency to the task at hand. With the frequency of mass shootings seeming to increase every year, the show feels like a wake-up call to Americans to take action. However, it never feels like a moralistic screed or a one-sided diatribe. Rather, it presents the issue in all its thorny complexity and challenges viewers to grapple with it in a thoughtful, nuanced way. Overall, Active Shooter: America Under Fire is a powerful, thought-provoking series that sheds light on one of the most pressing social issues of our time. With its blend of personal stories and in-depth analysis, it provides a compelling look at a complex problem and offers some hope that we can take meaningful steps to address it.
