Great Awakening: Qanon (2021) — The
Critics have noted that the film, and others like HBO's Q: Into the Storm (also 2021), highlights the role of social media algorithms in radicalizing individuals by creating "echo chambers" of alternative reality. Viewing Options
While QAnon began in the U.S. on boards like 4chan and 8chan, the film highlights its significant traction in Australia. It investigates the surprising connection between former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and a high-profile QAnon figure, Tim Stewart.
The film deconstructs the movement’s central claim: that a secret cabal of "Satanic pedophiles" is being fought by a messianic figure, Donald Trump. It examines how "breadcrumbs" (cryptic clues) left by the anonymous "Q" are crowd-sourced and interpreted by followers to create a complex, fictional reality. Reception and Impact The Great Awakening: QAnon (2021)
The documentary centers on the "Great Awakening," a term used by followers to describe a supposed spiritual and political enlightenment where the public "wakes up" to a hidden "Deep State".
The 2021 documentary (also released as part of the Four Corners investigative series) explores the meteoric rise and real-world devastation of the QAnon movement. Directed by Jeanavive McGregor, the film focuses on the movement’s expansion from niche internet boards to a global phenomenon that has fractured families and influenced high-level politics. Core Themes and Narrative Critics have noted that the film, and others
A central narrative thread follows the Stewart family, illustrating how QAnon beliefs led to extreme domestic division. Family members describe a relative’s "awakening" as a "coronavirus of the mind," eventually leading them to contact national security hotlines out of concern.
The documentary received polarized feedback, reflecting the deep societal divides it portrays. Reception and Impact The documentary centers on the
On IMDb , the film holds a relatively low rating (approx. 4.6/10), with reviews ranging from praise for its investigative depth to harsh criticism from those who feel it either "glorifies" or "villainizes" the movement.