Debra Messing in “October 8.”
October 8 — director Wendy Sachs and executive producer Debra Messing’s documentary about the rise of antisemitism in America — is coming soon to digital streaming.
October 8 opened in theaters on March 14 in limited release. The official summary for the film reads, “October 8 offers a look at the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, social media and in the streets of America beginning the day after the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas.
“Through meticulous investigation, the film also uncovers how over decades, Hamas created sophisticated networks in America to permeate U.S. institutions and examines the tsunami of online antisemitism, propaganda, and disinformation unleashed by Iran, China and Russia – with the sole purpose of dividing American society.”
Messing appears in the documentary along with fellow actor Michael Rapaport. Per October 8 distributor Briarcliff Entertainment, the documentary also features U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt and journalist Bari Weiss, among others.
October 8 is expected to be released on digital video via premium video on demand on Tuesday, April 1, streaming tracker When to Stream reported. While the film is not listed for pre-order on any digital platforms yet, typically new PVOD releases are available on such platforms as AppleTV, Fandango at Home and Prime Video.
How Did Critics And Audiences Receive ‘October 8’?
October 8 has earned more than $962,000 since it opened in 127 North American theaters on March 14. The film had a production budget of “nearly $2 million,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
October 8 received a 79% “fresh” score based on 14 reviews from Rotten Tomatoes critics and a 99% “fresh” score on RT’s Popcornmeter based on 250-plus verified user ratings.
Among the critics on RT who give October 8 a “fresh” review is Alissa Simon, although she has some reservations. In her review for Variety, Simon writes, “The informative film calls attention to an important issue, but viewers should recognize that the perspective is one-sided.”
Like Simon, Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter also has issues with October 8 but still gives the film a “fresh” review on RT, writing, “Like many advocacy documentaries, October 8 does some cherry-picking of facts and draws some questionable conclusions. But there’s no denying the importance of its message.”
Michael Sullivan of The Washington Post also gives October 8 a “fresh” review, writing on RT, “Without demonizing either side, it shows how Israel’s pattern of mistakes, if not arrogance, may have helped set a pot on the stove that is now boiling over with venom.”
Erik Reeds of Spectrum Culture is one of the detractors of the film on RT. In his “rotten” review, Reeds calls October 8 “a one-sided exercise in blatant and occasionally surreal propaganda, this documentary about anti-Israel sentiment helps no one.”
October 8 is expected to arrive on PVOD on April 1.
