Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Documentary

Cover-Up (2025): Cast & Ratings

Cover-Up (2025) movie poster

Cover-Up is a 2025 documentary directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, starring Seymour Hersh. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes. It earned 3 award nominations, including Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures at the PGA Awards 2026. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
award nominations
3
Echo Score
82
Loading streaming availability…
Cover-Up (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cover-Up About?

The premise of Cover-Up without spoilers.

A political thriller that chronicles the explosive career of Pulitzer Prize‑winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. Urgent and deeply reported, it paints a portrait of a relentless journalist while indicting institutional violence, exposing a cycle of impunity within the U.S. military and intelligence agencies, and probing the consequences of his groundbreaking reporting.

Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Cover-Up Cast

Seymour Hersh stars in Cover-Up. Directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus.

From the directors

More from Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus

More films directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, best-rated first: Citizenfour, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, The Oath and My Country, My Country.

Ratings

Cover-Up Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cover-Up 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in sensory experience (72).

82 /100

Cover-Up Echo Score Breakdown

Cover-Up delivers a compelling documentary experience that largely succeeds across its major dimensions. Critics and viewers commend its efficient direction, engaging pacing, and the depth with which Seymour Hersh is presented, while noting occasional unevenness in music and narrative organization. The film’s visual presentation is solid, though some auditory choices feel less cohesive, and its thematic relevance encourages repeat viewings. Overall, the strengths in craft, character focus, and storytelling outweigh the minor flaws, resulting in a strong, thought‑provoking work.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary exhibits polished direction and clear visual composition. Reviewers praise its efficient editing, coherent structure, and effective use of archival photographs, though a few note the soundtrack can feel cheesy and occasional pacing lapses. The overall production values are solid, supporting the film’s investigative intent without major technical distractions.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Hersh is portrayed as a nuanced, flawed figure rather than an idealized hero. Critics highlight his combative personality and moments of vulnerability that humanize his decades of work. Supporting voices emphasize the emotional resonance of his personal anecdotes, creating a layered portrait that resonates strongly with audiences.

  • Story & Flow 80

    The story and flow remains largely coherent, guiding viewers through six decades of investigative journalism with purposeful pacing. Reviewers note the film balances surprise and structure, though some observe occasional breathless sequences and a need for tighter organization. Despite these minor issues, the narrative maintains engagement and clearly communicates its central themes.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    Sensory experience is competent, with strong visual style and effective use of archival imagery. Critics commend the energetic cinematography, yet some users find the musical choices uneven and at times distracting. Overall, sound design and visual cohesion support the film’s mood, though there is room for refinement in the auditory layer.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    Rewatch factor is high due to the film’s relevance and the depth of its investigative content. Both critics and viewers suggest it serves as a vital reminder of journalistic importance and stimulates ongoing reflection. While a few note it is not the director's strongest work, the lasting appeal of its subject matter encourages repeat viewings.

Awards

Cover-Up Awards & Nominations

Cover-Up earned 3 award nominations, including Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures at the PGA Awards 2026. The 3 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

3 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Cover-Up Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Clip First Exclusive Clip
  • Featurette Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus, Seymour Hersh & More on Cover-Up
  • Featurette COVER-UP: A Conversation with Laura Poitras, Mark Obenhaus and Yoni Golijov
Details

Cover-Up Also Known As

Also known as “커버업”.

Also known as
  • 커버업

Seen Cover-Up?

FAQ

Cover-Up FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Cover-Up, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cover-Up?

Cover-Up runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was Cover-Up released?

Cover-Up was released on December 5, 2025.

Who directed Cover-Up?

Cover-Up was directed by Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus.

More films by Laura Poitras

Who is in the cast of Cover-Up?

Cover-Up stars Seymour Hersh.

How is Cover-Up rated?

Cover-Up has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Cover-Up nominated for any awards?

Cover-Up received 3 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does Cover-Up have a post-credit scene?

No. Cover-Up has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app