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Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017): Cast & Ratings

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017) movie poster

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press is a 2017 documentary directed by Brian Knappenberger, starring Hulk Hogan, Donald Trump and Nick Denton. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Echo Score
58
Metascore
68
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Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press About?

The premise of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This documentary explores a high-profile legal battle between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media, examining the complex relationship between privacy and press freedom. The trial raises significant questions about the power of wealth to influence the media and the responsibility of journalism in a society marked by inequality. Through the unfolding events, the film investigates the potential consequences of silencing the press and the broader implications for the pursuit of truth.

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • 1st amendment
  • politics documentary
  • gawker
  • sex tape
  • censorship
  • internet
  • freedom of speech
  • lawsuit
  • sex video
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Cast & crew

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Cast

Hulk Hogan leads the cast, with Donald Trump and Nick Denton. Directed by Brian Knappenberger.

From the director

More from Brian Knappenberger

More films directed by Brian Knappenberger, best-rated first: The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, Scout's Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America and We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists.

Full filmography
Ratings

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

58 /100

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Echo Score Breakdown

Nobody Speak delivers a stirring argument for the importance of independent journalism but is tempered by structural unevenness and limited counterpoints. Critics applauded its urgent presentation of free-press threats and its concise case studies, while several viewers cited a jumbled narrative and biased focus. Although its argumentative clarity and timely warnings resonate powerfully, the film occasionally drifts and overlooks broader context. Overall, it provides significant commentary on media freedom despite noticeable flaws in cohesion and scope.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and visual assembly, the film shows moments of compelling construction but suffers from inconsistent pacing. Critics noted the documentary’s urgent framing and purposeful case studies, yet several commentators found its transitions abrupt and loosely connected. Viewer feedback also pointed to an uneven narrative flow. The film’s artisan elements offer clarity at times but lack overall coherence.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    Regarding emotional resonance, the documentary often conveys a strong sense of urgency and commitment to press freedom. Its interviews and testimonies deliver convincing earnestness, as noted by critics who described the narrative as compelling and infuriating. However, user accounts cited limited dissenting voices and a tendency toward an insular perspective. Ultimately, it evokes a forceful message but with constrained emotional diversity.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of narrative coherence and pacing, the film presents a sequence of pivotal events but occasionally drifts into loosely connected segments. Critics remarked on its lack of broader historical context and a feeling of drifting focus, while some viewers described it as a jumbled assembly of topics. Despite highlighting key incidents, the documentary’s structural unevenness diminishes its overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    When considering sound design and visual style, the documentary adopts a straightforward aesthetic without distinctive flourishes. Reviewers noted the lack of a memorable soundtrack or striking graphic sequences, and the presentation remains utilitarian throughout. Viewer feedback similarly underscored a purely functional editing style and modest production design. As a result, the sensory elements serve the narrative without adding notable stylistic impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Regarding rewatch value, the documentary’s urgent themes hold informative appeal but offer limited novelty on subsequent viewings. Critics acknowledged its importance as a reference point, yet many viewers reported diminished interest once the core arguments are familiar. The tightly focused case studies and lack of varied narrative layers reduce the incentive to revisit. Therefore, its lasting appeal is modest and largely educational.

Plot

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Plot Summary

What happens in Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative begins by detailing the intense legal battle involving the world-famous professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. The core of the conflict centers on the lawsuit Bollea v. Gawker, in which Hulk Hogan sought a staggering $100 million in damages from Gawker Media. This legal action was triggered after the media outlet released a private sex tape featuring him and Heather Clem. While the lawsuit appeared to be a standard privacy dispute, it was revealed that the billionaire Peter Thiel provided the necessary financial backing to sustain the litigation. Thiel’s motivation was deeply personal; he sought to dismantle Gawker Media as retribution for an article published nine years prior that had publicly outed him as gay.

Full summary

The whole story of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press.

Nobody Speak | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which world-famous professional wrestler is at the center of the lawsuit against Gawker Media?

Details

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan” and “Gawker and Trials of a Free Press”.

Also known as
  • Nobody Speak: Hulk Hogan
  • Gawker and Trials of a Free Press
  • Nobody Speak: le complicazioni della libertà di stampa
  • כולם בשקט: משפטי העיתונות החופשית
  • Nadie dice juicios de la prensa libre
  • 침묵을 거래하는 손
  • Le procès d’une presse libre
  • Всички да замълчат: Изпитанията пред свободата на словото
  • Ninguém Fala - Provas da Imprensa Livre
  • Δίκες περί Ελευθεροτυπίας
  • Всем молчать: Судебные процессы над свободной прессой
  • 缄默不语:新闻自由诉讼案
+2 more
  • Nobody Speak - Le complicazioni della libertà di stampa
  • โนบอดี้ สปีค: อิสรภาพในการเสนอข่าว

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FAQ

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press?

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press released?

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press was released on June 23, 2017.

Who directed Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press?

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press was directed by Brian Knappenberger.

More films by Brian Knappenberger

Who is in the cast of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press?

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press stars Hulk Hogan, Donald Trump and Nick Denton.

How is Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press rated?

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press have a post-credit scene?

No. Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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