Logo What's After the Movie

Riotsville, U.S.A. 2022

This documentary examines the unusual history of "Riotsvilles," experimental towns constructed in the 1960s to train police and military personnel in managing civil unrest. Through archival footage, director Sierra Pettengill reconstructs a period when America was preoccupied with maintaining law and order, revealing the methods used and the broader implications for institutional control. The film explores the unsettling reality of these training exercises and highlights the persistent echoes of racial tensions in American society.

This documentary examines the unusual history of "Riotsvilles," experimental towns constructed in the 1960s to train police and military personnel in managing civil unrest. Through archival footage, director Sierra Pettengill reconstructs a period when America was preoccupied with maintaining law and order, revealing the methods used and the broader implications for institutional control. The film explores the unsettling reality of these training exercises and highlights the persistent echoes of racial tensions in American society.

Does Riotsville, U.S.A. have end credit scenes?

No!

Riotsville, U.S.A. does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Riotsville, U.S.A.

Explore the complete cast of Riotsville, U.S.A., including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Riotsville, U.S.A.

See how Riotsville, U.S.A. is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Riotsville, U.S.A. stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

46

Riotsville, U.S.A. elicits a divided response, with critics lauding its archival craftsmanship while many viewers find the presentation tedious. Positive remarks focus on the film’s effective use of historical footage to construct a visual indictment of state power. Negative feedback highlights monotonous pacing, intrusive narration, and excessive subtitles that diminish engagement. The combined sentiment results in a modest overall rating that reflects both the documentary’s conceptual strengths and its execution shortcomings.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Riotsville, U.S.A.

58
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, the documentary receives commendation for its striking use of archival visuals and measured editing that transport viewers to the 1960s. Critics note the aesthetic integration of historical footage as a strength. Conversely, users criticize jarring clips, uneven editing, and an overlong runtime that hampers visual fluency. The net assessment is a mixed but slightly positive appraisal of its artistic execution.

35
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When evaluating character and emotional resonance, the film offers limited performance elements, relying chiefly on voice‑over narration. Critics acknowledge the polemic tone but do not emphasize acting depth. User commentary, however, describes the narrator as off‑putting and the lack of nuanced perspectives as a significant flaw. Consequently, the character aspect is judged largely unfavorably due to weak emotional engagement.

45
Echo Score

Story & Flow

The story aspect presents an ambitious narrative that links archival footage to a critique of militarized policing. Critics praise its originality and the way it provokes reflection on historical patterns. Users, on the other hand, point to shallow development, disjointed structure, and insufficient contextual depth, labeling the pacing as sluggish. Overall, the storytelling is viewed as conceptually compelling yet unevenly realized.

50
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

Sensory experience hinges on the documentary’s soundscape and visual style. Positive notes highlight the cohesive visual palette created by the archival material, while critics mention the film’s restrained audio approach. Viewers complain about monotonous audio, excessive subtitles, and repetitive footage that dilute sensory impact. The combined feedback suggests an average sensory execution with notable deficiencies.

40
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

Rewatch! factor is assessed through the film’s lasting appeal and repeatability. Critics consider it worthwhile for its insightful historical lens, recommending further viewings. User opinions counter this, describing the documentary as boring and sleep‑inducing, with little incentive for a second viewing. The overall rewatch potential is therefore modest, reflecting limited replay value.

Metacritic

82

Metascore

5.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

91%

TOMATOMETER

review

55%

User Score

IMDb

6.7 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

49

%

User Score

Movie Insider

5.00/5

From 1 fan rating

Awards & Nominations for Riotsville, U.S.A.

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by Riotsville, U.S.A., from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Riotsville, U.S.A. and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


38th Film Independent Spirit Awards 2023

Nomination

Best Documentary Feature

It appears Riotsville, U.S.A. does not have a summary available yet. Please consider requesting one.

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Riotsville, U.S.A.

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Riotsville, U.S.A.. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Official Trailer

Riotsville, U.S.A. Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


insurrectionlootersriotingdemocratic national conventionpolice brutalityprotestmilitaryarsonstreet violencemurder of a police officerlootingchased by riotersgang1960snational guardreference to warren comissionfort belvoirreference to the watts riotsnewark new jerseychurchdetroit michiganst. louis missouriyear 1968newspaper headlinekerner commissionreference to william faulknerreference to james baldwinreference to valley of the dolls the novelmartin luther king jr. quotationreference to h. rap browntear gasreference to the vietnam wargun rangedearborn michiganpontiac michiganmiami beach floridaamerican culturemilitarized policepolicetownconsists of entirely archival footagerepublican national convention
Movie Wiki CTA - Movie Book

Unlock the World of Movies with Our Comprehensive Wiki

Dive into our Movie Wiki for in-depth film encyclopedia entries, including cast biographies, production trivia, plot synopses, behind-the-scenes facts, and thematic analyses. Whether you’re researching iconic directors, exploring genre histories, or discovering hidden easter eggs, our expertly curated movie database has everything you need to fuel your cinematic passion.

Movie Wiki CTA - Green Blue Wave

Similar Movies To Riotsville, U.S.A. You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.