Bullied

This documentary is absolutely heartbreaking, brutal, and tragic but also very necessary and every parent, caregiver, teen, teacher, and educator should try to get through it, period. Bullied is at once stunning, shocking, depressing, anxiety-generating, and infuriating. Expect lots of terribly sad stories of innocent kids and teens suffering from horrible bullying behavior that often includes incredible violence. Thankfully, this what-should-be-public-service-announcement is just about palatable enough at a smidge over an hour runtime. The degree of pathos (effective argumentation through emotion and stories) is incredibly high. While not exactly enjoyable, the documentary is packed with so much data, statistics, and helpful information that they become welcome pauses between painful human story after painful human story.

Some viewers will disagree with the film's position that former U.S. President Donald Trump greatly encouraged today's "bullying culture," but the film makes a strong case by using clips of Trump. Either way, it would have simply been too depressing an experience if Bullied did not end on a positive, hopeful note. Highlighting the Cleveland, Ohio school district and how they initiated "Social Emotional Learning" programs over a decade ago, the film provides an example of success, positive outcomes, and a potential future where kids and teens don't have to suffer.