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Documentary

A Thousand Cuts (2020): Cast & Ratings

A Thousand Cuts (2020) movie poster

A Thousand Cuts is a 2020 documentary directed by Ramona S. Diaz, starring Maria Ressa, Rodrigo R. Duterte and Pia Ranada. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.

IMDb rating
7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
Echo Score
80
Metascore
81
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A Thousand Cuts (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Ramona S. Diaz
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Thousand Cuts About?

The premise of A Thousand Cuts without spoilers.

This documentary follows journalist Maria Ressa as she investigates the human rights abuses and disinformation campaigns surrounding Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial "war on drugs." Facing increasing threats and legal challenges for her reporting, Ressa fights to uphold freedom of the press and expose the disturbing realities of the situation, while also confronting the personal toll of challenging those in power.

A Thousand Cuts Themes & Keywords

· 11 tags
  • technology
  • philippines
  • politics
  • disinformation
  • propaganda
  • internet
  • social media
  • trolls
  • astroturfing
  • political corruption
  • corruption
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Cast & crew

A Thousand Cuts Cast

Maria Ressa leads the cast, with Rodrigo R. Duterte and Pia Ranada. Directed by Ramona S. Diaz.

From the director

More from Ramona S. Diaz

More films directed by Ramona S. Diaz, best-rated first: Motherland, Imelda, Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey and And So It Begins.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Thousand Cuts Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Thousand Cuts 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

80 /100

A Thousand Cuts Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary provides a deeply engaging character-driven account of press freedom challenges in the Philippines. Critics praise its focused narrative around Maria Ressa, noting how the tight assembly of footage heightens the sense of menace and resilience. Some observers, however, suggest more procedural detail would enrich context, and a few viewers raise concerns about perceived bias. Overall, the film succeeds as a relevant and impactful document, balancing urgency with thoughtful examination of democratic threats.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the direction and editing demonstrate considerable skill in shaping raw footage into a cohesive narrative. Reviewers commend the precise cutting that sustains momentum and underscore the effective composition of visual fragments. Nonetheless, some feedback points to occasional pacing lapses and the desire for additional procedural scenes to deepen context. Overall, the technical execution is strong and largely supports the film’s urgency.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film centers on Maria Ressa’s resilient presence and nuanced responses. Critics note her dynamic energy and moments of vulnerability that cultivate empathy, while observers appreciate the portrayal’s clarity. However, the narrow focus on Ressa limits exploration of other perspectives and secondary figures. Overall, the documentary’s emotional core remains compelling, driven by a well-defined central subject.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary delivers a clear and urgent narrative that engages viewers with real-world stakes. The structured progression emphasizes pivotal events and maintains tension, yet some analyses highlight thematic repetition and a lack of detailed procedural sequences. This repetition occasionally diminishes narrative momentum and leaves certain investigative aspects underdeveloped. Overall, the story succeeds in conveying immediacy but could benefit from greater structural variety.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When addressing the sensory experience, the film employs an understated visual style and restrained sound design to underscore its documentary tone. Reviewers commend the cohesive cinematography that frames key moments and the absence of intrusive scoring, which keeps focus on unfolding events. While this minimalism enhances authenticity, some viewers note the lack of a more distinctive musical backdrop. Overall, the sensory elements effectively support content with measured subtlety.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, the documentary’s topical relevance and clear exposition encourage analytical revisitings rather than casual viewing. The urgency of its subject and the emotional resonance of key sequences provide lasting appeal for those interested in democratic issues. However, the heavy thematic focus and occasional repetition may limit widespread replay enjoyment for general audiences. Overall, the film offers significant study value but moderate replay value in a leisure context.

Videos

A Thousand Cuts Trailers & Videos

The trailer of A Thousand Cuts.

A THOUSAND CUTS (2020) | Official Trailer | PBS Distribution
Details

A Thousand Cuts Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “천 개의 상흔” and “אלף חתכים”.

Also known as
  • 천 개의 상흔
  • אלף חתכים
  • Pomalu vykrvácet
  • Ausencia de verdad
  • 千审万查
  • Maria Ressa, sananvapauden puolesta
  • Tūkstošiem rētu
  • Maria Ressa - Presse vs. Präsident

Seen A Thousand Cuts?

FAQ

A Thousand Cuts FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Thousand Cuts, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Thousand Cuts?

A Thousand Cuts runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was A Thousand Cuts released?

A Thousand Cuts was released on August 7, 2020.

Who directed A Thousand Cuts?

A Thousand Cuts was directed by Ramona S. Diaz.

More films by Ramona S. Diaz

Who is in the cast of A Thousand Cuts?

A Thousand Cuts stars Maria Ressa, Rodrigo R. Duterte and Pia Ranada.

How is A Thousand Cuts rated?

A Thousand Cuts has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does A Thousand Cuts have a post-credit scene?

No. A Thousand Cuts has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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