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Reversing Roe (2018): Cast & Ratings

Reversing Roe (2018) movie poster

Reversing Roe is a 2018 documentary directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern, starring Gloria Steinem, Tom Davis and Eleanor Holmes Norton. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
Echo Score
68
Metascore
70
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Reversing Roe (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Directors
Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Reversing Roe About?

The premise of Reversing Roe without spoilers.

This documentary examines the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights and the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Through interviews, it presents perspectives from individuals deeply involved in the complex legal and political landscape, showcasing the passionate arguments both for and against legalized abortion and exploring the continuing impact of this pivotal Supreme Court ruling.

Reversing Roe Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • abortion
  • politics
  • women's rights
  • feminism
  • evangelical christianity
  • abortion clinic
  • gynecologist
  • planned parenthood
  • roe v. wade
  • planned parenthood v. casey
  • u.s. supreme court
  • reference to ronald reagan
+38 more
  • reference to richard nixon
  • reference to sandra day o'connor
  • reference to william rehnquist
  • reference to george h.w. bush
  • reference to clarence thomas
  • reference to anthony kennedy
  • reference to bill clinton
  • reference to ruth bader ginsburg
  • reference to stephen breyer
  • reference to george w. bush
  • reference to john roberts
  • reference to antonin scalia
  • reference to samuel alito
  • reference to barack obama
  • reference to sonia sotomayor
  • reference to elena kagan
  • reference to donald trump
  • reference to hillary clinton
  • reference to neil gorsuch
  • supreme court justice
  • supreme court
  • reference to nelson rockefeller
  • reference to rick perry
  • reference to pat robertson
  • reference to jerry falwell
  • reference to george tiller
  • pastor
  • reference to wendy davis
  • protester
  • assassination
  • filibuster
  • abortion rights
  • abortion law
  • partial birth abortion
  • supreme court decision
  • austin texas
  • reference to skidmore college
  • politician
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Cast & crew

Reversing Roe Cast

Gloria Steinem leads the cast, with Tom Davis and Eleanor Holmes Norton. Directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Reversing Roe

· 6 more
From the directors

More from Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern

More films directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern, best-rated first: The Devil Came on Horseback, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Knuckleball! and Nature of the Crime.

Ratings

Reversing Roe Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Reversing Roe 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

68 /100

Reversing Roe Echo Score Breakdown

Reversing Roe offers a solid historical overview of abortion rights in America but falls short in providing diverse perspectives and deeper contextual analysis. The filmmakers trace the politicization of abortion through a forceful timeline, supported by clear archival footage and expert interviews. Several viewers highlight the documentary’s uneven pacing and missed opportunities to explore personal narratives beyond conventional camps. Ultimately, it serves as a competent primer on legal milestones while leaving richer exploration of nuanced viewpoints largely unaddressed.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and editing, Reversing Roe presents its material in a clear, accessible manner. The filmmakers employ straightforward visuals that support the narrative’s focus on legal milestones, and the pacing is occasionally uneven yet generally coherent. The production design remains unobtrusive, allowing archival footage and interviews to take precedence. Overall, the craft elements serve the documentary’s informational aims without drawing attention away from its core subject.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth, the documentary gives voice to key figures across the abortion debate but seldom illuminates less familiar perspectives. Interview segments deliver measured insights from activists and legal experts, yet the focus remains on established spokespersons rather than personal stories from nuanced backgrounds. Emotional resonance emerges through candid testimonies, but the film misses opportunities to capture more varied experiences. In sum, the portrayal of voices is informative but somewhat conventional.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of narrative flow, Reversing Roe lays out a clear chronological account of the fight over abortion rights, tracing major developments from Roe v. Wade to contemporary challenges. The film effectively connects historical milestones with its thesis on politicization, though several reviewers point out uneven pacing and occasional omission of important events. While engagement holds for most of its runtime, the structure feels formulaic at times and leaves some gaps in context. Ultimately, the story is coherent but not comprehensive.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When evaluating the sensory experience, Reversing Roe relies on a restrained visual style and a subdued musical score that complement its documentary format. Archival clips and talking-head sequences are edited for clarity rather than dramatic flair, supporting informational clarity over stylistic experimentation. Sound design remains unobtrusive, ensuring that interviews and narration remain the focal point. As a result, the sensory elements enhance comprehension but do not elevate the viewing experience beyond its educational aims.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch value, Reversing Roe offers informative content but limited appeal for repeat viewings. Its strength lies in the concise presentation of historical developments, which may benefit viewers unfamiliar with abortion rights history. However, the absence of deeper narrative layers or engrossing personal stories reduces the incentive to revisit the film. The documentary’s focus on factual exposition rather than dramatic moments or stylistic variety means it serves better as a one-time educational resource than a repeatedly enjoyable experience.

Videos

Reversing Roe Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Reversing Roe.

Reversing Roe | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Details

Reversing Roe Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Roe v. Wade : La véritable histoire de l'avortement” and “Powrót do sprawy Roe: Prawa kobiet w politycznej grze”.

Also known as
  • Roe v. Wade : La véritable histoire de l'avortement
  • Powrót do sprawy Roe: Prawa kobiet w politycznej grze
  • Roe x Wade: Direitos das Mulheres nos EUA
  • 제인 로 케이스 뒤집기
  • 推翻罗诉韦德案
  • Selbstbestimmung ./. Politik – Abtreibung in den USA
  • Caso Roe: El aborto en los EE. UU.
  • 政治工具:美國女權深思

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FAQ

Reversing Roe FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Reversing Roe, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Reversing Roe?

Reversing Roe runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was Reversing Roe released?

Reversing Roe was released on September 13, 2018.

Who directed Reversing Roe?

Reversing Roe was directed by Anne Sundberg and Ricki Stern.

More films by Anne Sundberg

Who is in the cast of Reversing Roe?

Reversing Roe stars Gloria Steinem, Tom Davis and Eleanor Holmes Norton, among 10 credited actors.

How is Reversing Roe rated?

Reversing Roe has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Reversing Roe have a post-credit scene?

No. Reversing Roe has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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