How a Netflix Docuseries on Bin Laden Helped Me Find Closure After 9/11

by

Approximately 25 years have passed since the tragic terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, significantly reshaped our world. Being a teenager during this time, I vividly remember the horrific events as a life-altering moment when my childhood was abruptly cut short. Throughout the years, I’ve immersed myself in numerous books, documentaries, and various other resources to help me process those memories.

Recently, I’ve just finished watching the three-part Netflix original documentary titled “American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden“. This series offered a detailed look at the tragic events of September 11th in New York, the long and arduous war that ensued, and the pursuit of the mastermind behind the attacks. Despite leaving me in a state of internal conflict (which I’ll discuss further later), it undeniably supplied a sense of healing that was both necessary and long-awaited. Let me elaborate on this point.

I Was Flooded With Emotion Throughout American Manhunt: The Hunt For Osama Bin Laden

For anyone who was alive or grew up during September 11, 2001, it’s no surprise that “American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden” is a deeply emotional journey. It offers scenes of terror, glimmers of hope, thrilling anecdotes, and a surge of national pride, all wrapped up in a three-part documentary series accessible with a Netflix subscription. The series delivers a powerful punch to its viewers.

At times, I found myself reliving emotions reminiscent of a 13-year-old boy who felt scared, bewildered, and upset, prompted by the day’s occurrences, causing me to seek comfort in my brother’s room. Other instances brought on a sense of detachment during my time in Afghanistan, while some moments filled me with triumph, leading me to pump my fist in jubilation. No matter what emotion I experienced throughout, I was consistently overwhelmed by powerful feelings from start to finish.

I Felt Like I Was Watching A CIA Recruitment Video, And I Don’t Know How To Feel About That

From the title alone, I had a hunch that this documentary would detail the lengthy pursuit by the Central Intelligence Agency to locate and eliminate Osama Bin Laden, and it certainly delivered on that expectation. As I watched the series, though, I found myself questioning if perhaps I was watching a covert CIA promotional film or recruitment video instead.

The documentary doesn’t mince words about the shortcomings within the intelligence community regarding the inability to thwart such an attack, and it also doesn’t try to portray the ethically ambiguous methods used to gather information post-9/11 in a favorable light. However, at times, it presents the CIA as the most prominent and capable agency within the U.S. government.

In the last episode, there was also the part involving the Navy SEAL operation (Operation Neptune Spear), which was both captivating and exhilarating. Similar to the movie Zero Dark Thirty from over a decade ago, I found myself unsure whether to view it as a documentary or an exciting suspense story.

However, The Docuseries Did Provide Some Much-Needed Closure And Healing

Although there are parts I’m still unsure about, I can’t ignore that the documentary gave me a sense of closure and healing, long after it happened. The series contained numerous moments that allowed me to process some personal emotions, but the scene depicting everyone celebrating in front of the White House following Bin Laden’s death particularly resonated with me.

On that particular night (after the WWE Extreme Rules PPV), I sat in my college apartment, witnessing the events as they unfolded, a scene I’ll never forget, especially since it was when John Cena announced the news. Reliving those moments through the documentary allowed me to reminisce, contemplate, and ultimately let go of something that significantly influenced a substantial part of my life and shaped my perspective on the world.

Osama Bin Laden” was remarkably similar to experiencing the captivating, moving, and immensely impactful docuseries on O.J. Simpson. An experience I’m unlikely to forget anytime soon.

Read More

2025-05-25 23:08