Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press (2017): Cast & Ratings
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Brian Knappenberger
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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
Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Cast
Hulk Hogan leads the cast, with Donald Trump and Nick Denton. Directed by Brian Knappenberger.
- Director Brian Knappenberger
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.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 91% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 42%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 2.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 60% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
See on Letterboxd
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
Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which world-famous professional wrestler is at the center of the lawsuit against Gawker Media?
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 Show fewer
- Nobody Speak - Le complicazioni della libertà di stampa
- โนบอดี้ สปีค: อิสรภาพในการเสนอข่าว
Seen Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press?
Movies Like Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press
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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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