Watch Theo Who Lived

Theo Who Lived is a gripping and inspiring documentary that tells the story of American journalist Theo Padnos, who was captured by Al Qaeda in Syria and held captive for 22 months. The film, directed by David Schisgall, follows Theo's incredible journey from his capture to his release and return home. The documentary combines interviews with Theo and his family, striking footage of the Syrian conflict, and re-enactments of Theo's experiences as a prisoner. Theo's voice-over narration is particularly powerful, as he relives his harrowing ordeal and reflects on his own resilience and the kindness of strangers that helped him survive. The film also features interviews with journalists, experts on the Syrian conflict, and former hostages, who provide context and commentary on Theo's situation.

The journey begins when Theo, a freelance journalist working in Syria, is kidnapped by Al Qaeda in 2012. He is transported to various locations and subjected to brutal interrogations, beatings, and psychological torment. Despite his ordeal, Theo manages to maintain his sanity and even his sense of humor, as he shares stories about his fellow inmates, his captors, and the unlikely moments of hope and humanity that kept him going.

The film is particularly effective in highlighting the complexities and contradictions of the Syrian conflict. Interviewees range from Syrian dissidents fighting Assad's regime to Al Qaeda operatives, and the viewer is left with a vivid sense of the chaos and violence of this war-torn country. Theo's own experience is put into a broader context, as the film explores the ways in which Syria has become a battleground not only for political ideologies, but also for various factions vying for power and control.

Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the film is also surprisingly uplifting. Theo's own resilience and determination to survive are remarkable, and there are moments of unexpected kindness and humanity that offer a glimmer of hope in the midst of darkness. The film ultimately becomes a testament to the power of the human spirit, as Theo's own survival against all odds demonstrates that even in the bleakest of circumstances, there is always a chance for redemption.

Theo Who Lived is an important and timely documentary that sheds light on a little-understood conflict, while also offering an inspiring story of survival and perseverance. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the Syrian conflict or in the human capacity for resilience and hope.

Theo Who Lived is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 71.