Wormwood

Wormwood is an intriguing, six-episode docudrama series that premiered on Netflix in 2017. Directed by the acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Errol Morris, the series is a unique blend of history, mystery, and personal family tragedy revolving around the unfortunate life and mysterious death of a United States military scientist.

The story is set primarily in America during the tense Cold War era. The narrative follows the life of Frank Olson, a military biochemist who works for the United States Army. The gripping series dives deep into the personal and professional life of Olson, including his work at Fort Detrick in Maryland, where he was involved in top-secret biological warfare research during the 1950s.

The tragic incident that sets the plot's pivot point is Olson's inexplicable and sudden death in November 1953, an event with lots of unanswered questions and doubts around it. The government initially claims it a suicide, stating that he jumped to his death from the window of a New York hotel where he was staying, but as the series unfolds, we observe that there are many questionable aspects to his death.

What makes Wormwood unique is its amalgamation of documentary-style interviews and narrative re-enactments, which build a dramatic and intense atmosphere. With an exceptional engagement of both factual evidence and speculative pieces, Morris creates a universe engrossed in mystery and gumshoe investigative endeavors.

Throughout the series, Olson is portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard, who delivers a memorable performance, capturing the stress and moral struggles Olson faces. His performance brings an unease, best portraying the paranoid undercurrent of the time during the Cold War. Sarsgaard's portrayal of Frank Olson merges well with either end of the spectrum - the idealistic hardworking scientist committed to country and family - and the disillusioned man who doubts the moral implications of his covert work.

Wormwood also focuses deeply on Olson's determined and relentless son, Eric. Eric, portrayed in re-enactments by Christian Camargo, was nine years old at the time of his father's death. As the series chronicles his decades-long quest to uncover the truth about his father's death, the emotional impact of this journey is carefully and poignantly captured. The legacy of a son longing for his father's justice is a story thread as crucial to Wormwood as the mystery surrounding Olson's demise itself.

The series also includes a towering supporting cast with performances by Molly Parker, Bob Balaban, Jimmi Simpson, and Tim Blake Nelson. Each character is intricately woven into the overarching narrative, revealing details about the historical and personal context that aids to unravel the mystery.

The name Wormwood itself is a direct reference to a star mentioned in the biblical book of Revelation, which spoils waters and makes them bitter. This hints towards the bitter truths that went into making history and the quest for finding the same.

Director Errol Morris embraces a cinematic narrative approach alongside traditional documentarian storytelling. Framed through a combination of speculative dramatizations and real-life interviews, the series breaks the conventional lines of reality and fiction. Innovative camera techniques, angulated close-ups, and the hard-hitting background scores enhance the series, adding layers of intensity and surrealism to the narrative.

The series paints a grim picture of the murky operations by government and intelligence agencies during the Cold War, scrutinizing MK-Ultra, the CIA's notorious mind-control program about which Frank Olson allegedly had damning knowledge.

While Wormwood is a thriller and a historical period narrative, it is also a very personal journey of a son who seeks truth and justice for his father, mourned so long and remembered so well. A bleak yet powerful exploration of faith, patriotism, and the often indefinable line of ethics, it exemplifies storytelling's power to illuminate the darkest corners of history, society, and our own hearts.

Overall, Wormwood is a riveting series that keeps viewers on the edge while simultaneously mesmerizing with its deep dive into the human psyche, an exploration of personal and collective histories, and an unsettled thirst for justice and truth. An unforgettable piece in both documentary and drama categories, it’s an example of the revolutionary storytelling that can be achieved through intelligent interpretation and masterful mixing of the genres. It is a highly recommended watch for those seeking truth in the gray areas of history and personal loss.