Top 10 Movies About Guantanamo Bay You Must Watch

Guantanamo Bay is a U.S. military installation situated in Cuba, where individuals have been kept without trial or charges since 2002 during the so-called “war on terror”. Critics, including human rights organizations, international bodies, ex-detainees, and guards, have raised concerns about the treatment and conditions there. This contentious location has sparked interest among filmmakers who’ve tackled its narratives, themes, and consequences. In this piece, we’ll review the top 10 movies about Guantanamo Bay that stand out for their critical recognition, viewer appeal, and relevance. Let’s dive in!

1. ‘The Road to Guantanamo’ (2006)

The documentary focuses on the real-life experiences of Ruhal Ahmed, Asif Iqbal, and Shafiq Rasul, often referred to as the ‘Tipton Three.’ These three young men, originally from Tipton in the West Midlands, are of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent. The film unfolds during the post-9/11 period, using a mix of interviews with real people, historical footage, and actor portrayals. In September 2001, immediately following the 9/11 attacks, the Tipton Three traveled to Pakistan for a friend’s wedding. While staying at a mosque in Karachi, they decided to visit Afghanistan to personally observe the evolving events in the region.

Despite some questioning the director’s decision not to explore the reasons for entering Afghanistan, the movie is widely praised. Its portrayal of human rights violations at Guantanamo Bay adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the prison and its contentious detention methods.

2. ‘Camp X-Ray’ (2014)

The story revolves around Amy Cole, who is tasked to serve as a guard at Guantanamo Bay, a facility that houses individuals suspected of terrorism. The film predominantly explores Amy’s unique bond with one of the detainees, Ali Amir, portrayed by Peyman Moaadi. Despite the stringent regulations prohibiting interactions with prisoners, Amy develops a relationship with Ali, which leads her to challenge the ethical and human aspects of the detention center’s operations.

Reason to Watch: Surprisingly deep for an independent film, ‘Camp X-Ray’ tackles issues that go beyond its scope. Critics widely praise Kristen Stewart’s lead role as her finest performance yet.

3. ‘The Mauritanian’ (2021)

The Main Topic: In November 2001, Mohamedou Ould Slahi was contacted by a Mauritanian police officer who disclosed that Americans wished to converse with him. Mohamedou, having just arrived in Mauritania two months following the September 11 incidents, consented to go with them. Flash forward to February 2005 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where attorney Nancy Hollander was approached by a French lawyer named Emmanuel. He shared that a lawyer from Mauritania had requested help for Mohamedou’s family. It turned out that Mohamedou had been detained three years prior, but his family only just learned through a newspaper that he was being imprisoned at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp by the United States. He is allegedly one of the masterminds behind the 9/11 attacks.

‘The Mauritanian’ is a film adapted from real-life events that might give you goosebumps more effectively than many horror flicks. Some critics have noted its somewhat conventional narrative style and the harrowing subject matter, but the acting, particularly by Foster and Rahim, has received acclaim.

4. ‘Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)‘

Title Overview: ‘Taxi to the Dark Side’ is a critically acclaimed documentary that scrutinizes U.S. policies regarding torture and interrogation, with a focus on CIA practices involving torture and studies on sensory deprivation. The film features dialogue from political and military leaders supporting and criticizing the use of torture. It delves into Congressional attempts to maintain Geneva Convention standards against torture, and investigates how television shows like ’24’ contribute to the acceptance of torture methods in society.

The main theme of the documentary centers on the death of Dilawar, a former Afghan peanut farmer who became a taxi driver. He met his fate after being subjected to severe beatings over several days at the Bagram detention facility. The film employs Dilawar’s heartbreaking tale as a key element to shed light on the harsh truths of torture methods and their repercussions, revealing them within the larger scope of U.S. military policies.

Here’s a reason to watch: Although this movie doesn’t specifically focus on Guantanamo Bay, it’s truly remarkable. It was praised by critics and won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2008, not because it approached its subjects delicately but quite the opposite.

5. ‘Five Years’ (2013)

Title Explanation:
The enigma surrounding how Murat Kurnaz landed in Guantanamo Bay is explored in this movie. It delves into the psychological impacts of Kurnaz’s prolonged and unjust incarceration, shedding light on the puzzling events that resulted in his detention. This documentary also offers a closer examination of the physical and emotional torment that Kurnaz endured during his lengthy imprisonment. Stefan Schaller is the director and writer of this film, with performances by Sascha Alexander Gersak, Ben Miles, and Marc Hodapp.

Why it’s worth watching: This is a unique film that tackles the complexities of Guantanamo from a German-French perspective. It portrays Kurnaz’s detention in an exceptionally moving way, and certain scenes will make you feel as if you are experiencing his ordeal firsthand.

6. ‘Rendition‘ (2007)

The narrative revolves around two main events:

1. In North Africa, CIA analyst Douglas Freeman briefs an agent, unfortunately this meeting ends tragically with a suicide bombing that claims the life of the agent along with 18 innocent civilians. The actual target, senior police official Abbas-i “Abasi” Fawal, manages to survive unscathed.

2. In Chicago, Egyptian-born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi finds himself under suspicion of terrorism activities due to his phone records. Upon his return from a conference, he is arrested by American authorities and transferred to an undisclosed facility near the earlier attack site. There, Anwar endures interrogation and torture. His wife Isabella remains oblivious about his whereabouts, while any traces of him being on the plane are systematically erased.

Why it’s worth watching: The film “Rendition” may not be directly linked to Guantanamo Bay, but it tackles similar themes such as torture and grave human rights abuses. Despite some criticism regarding its handling of these sensitive issues, it remains a compelling choice if you find real-life stories or documentaries challenging to watch.

7. ‘Unconstitutional: The War on Our Civil Liberties‘ (2004)

As a movie enthusiast,

“In the wake of the 2001 September 11 attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act was passed by Congress, raising controversy due to its focus on tracking potential terrorist threats. This documentary seeks to shed light on the problematic aspects of this post-9/11 law, particularly the questionable practices in U.S. law enforcement that led to the detention of Muslims and individuals with Arabic names without formal charges or legal proceedings. The film highlights several cases, such as Safouh Mamoui, a Syrian resident in Seattle who was imprisoned for ten months without any charges, and Jose Padilla, an American citizen and Muslim convert initially held as a material witness in the 9/11 attacks before being labeled an ‘enemy combatant’ based on insufficient evidence.

Reason to watch: Don’t you often feel that despite the constant erosion of your rights following each incident, nothing substantially improves? Many express concern about losing their freedoms, but you remain indifferent as long as you believe “I have nothing to hide.” This documentary centers around this very topic – individuals who had “nothing to hide” yet faced serious consequences due to ambiguous laws with hidden agendas.

8. ‘We Are Not Ghouls’ (2022 / 2023)

Main Topic: In 2005, U.S. Air Force JAG attorney Yvonne Bradley chooses to represent Binyam Mohamed, a death penalty defendant at Guantanamo Bay. At first, she assumes that detainees at Guantanamo are the most dangerous individuals in the global fight against terrorism. However, her viewpoint radically changes upon arriving in Cuba and diving into this complex case. During the subsequent four years, she becomes relentless in her pursuit of the truth.

Why you should check it out: This fresh documentary delves into a longstanding subject in an intriguing manner. It is inspired by the book ‘The Guantanamo Lawyers,’ offering a unique take on the issue through the eyes of lawyers who appear to be advocating for individuals commonly regarded as the most heinous.

9. ‘A Few Good Men’ (1992)

As a devoted cinephile, I’d say:

In the heart of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, I find myself drawn into a gripping tale. A young U.S. Marine named Private William Santiago is brutally attacked during the stillness of the night and sadly, he doesn’t make it through. Two of his comrades, Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private First Class Louden Downey, are implicated in his murder and stand trial under military law.

The defense team is headed by Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a seasoned Navy JAG Corps attorney who’s made a name for himself with plea bargains. Yet, another JAG officer, the tenacious Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, senses something isn’t quite right. You see, Santiago had asked for a transfer before his unfortunate death, and it seems he broke the chain of command in the process.

Reason to check it out: I thought it was essential to include the film ‘A Few Good Men’ on this list, as it stands among Tom Cruise’s finest works and is one of the best legal dramas ever made. Even if you’ve already seen it, perhaps now is a good time for another viewing?

10. ‘Wasp Network’ (2019)

My Take: In the ’90s, I find myself as René González, a pilot, leaving my beloved Cuba to start anew in the U.S. I join Brothers to the Rescue, a group standing against the Cuban government, involved in military actions and attempts to sabotage their tourism industry. On the other side, there’s Gerardo Hernández leading The “Wasp Network,” countering our activities. Tensions rise as Cuban American groups like the Cuban American National Foundation clash with Brothers to the Rescue, engaging in propaganda, drug and weapon smuggling, and even terrorism. This conflict culminates in the downing of two Cessna planes in 1996. Juan Pablo Roque, a Cuban pilot, defects and later becomes an FBI informant, exposing his covert infiltration into anti-Castro associations.

Reason to Watch: Although the film isn’t specifically about Guantanamo Bay, it offers an engaging mix of espionage, mystery, and suspense that I found hard to resist, given its main topic.

2025-05-26 18:48