Louis Theroux: The Settlers

A masterpiece in revealing what it means to be a settler in the occupied West Bank, delivered with excellence from a storied documentarian.

For those unfamiliar with the geopolitics of the region, Louis meets some of the leading figures in the Israeli settler community gleefully explaining their actions that contravene international law.

Louis' understated style allows interviewees to tell on themselves and bring everything to the table with ease.

History will look upon this work as a light into the depraved ideology that is beset upon the people of Palestine.

If Louis' work needed a crowning jewel, this is it.

Absolutely fascinating, genuinely.. My whole life I've heard about ideologies and how they move people, I was immensely surprised to watch events happen in front of me.

Banality of evil.

You watch how people believe that certain human beings are a lower form of life, that they do not even deserve it.

Then the philosophical question of "what is peace?" To the individuals in question, that is a hard egg to crack.

I was also fascinated with onlookers on a destroyed ravaged open air prison/grotto.

They actually take their children to watch destroyed homes... And I felt odd, because why would I bring my own child to watch where people have ceased to exit...

Actually, it also scared me.. I mean I live in a secure region but what if this happens to me? Woah.

It's hard to characterise Israel's activities in the West Bank as anything other than settler colonialism; and the sort of person attracted to that life is unlikely to seem very appealing to anyone else. Louis Theroux, in many of his other documentaries, plays perplexed when talking to problematic people; in 'The Settlers', he doesn't hide his palpable dislike of those making facts on the ground at the end of a gun. While one can sympathise with Jews born in Israel, who bear no personal responsibility for the world's complex history but who nonetheless face its consequences, Theroux's interviewees here are a nasty bunch, as the Palestinians who live around them find their own lives steadily squeezed into ever narrower spaces. As usual on this subject, it's hard to see any quick path to an equitable resolution; but important nonethless that the truth be told.

Louis becomes witness to the hidden depravity, violence, oppression and inhumanity Palestinians face on a daily basis at the hand of 'The Settlers'. This is a brave, must-see documentary that lays bare the brutal reality of settler violence in the West Bank. Theroux's bold, confrontational style-especially when challenging figures like Daniella Weiss-exposes the raw aggression, sociopathy and systemic injustice Palestinians endure daily. The film's unflinching focus on the occupation's human toll, from stolen land to constant fear, is both heartbreaking and galvanizing, earning it high praise for its nuance and courage. Yet, it falls short by not amplifying Palestinian voices enough; settlers often dominate the narrative, and deeper historical context is missed. Still, The Settlers is a powerful wake-up call, demanding viewers confront the truth of Palestinian suffering. It's not perfect, but its impact is undeniable.

Great, balanced reporting of this conflict. In the face of incredible evidence, Louis Theroux and his team maintains impeccable ethics, standards and overall composure amid obvious conflict and multiple tests of character in a land so consumed with tension. I would elaborate on examples, but it's better to watch for yourself to understand the emotion on both sides and the reasons why such conflict emerges.

I would recommend this documentary to anyone open to understanding more about, not just this conflict, but the dynamics that lead this to be the source of so many of the worlds conflicts today.