Death To 2020 Cover Image| Wikipedia
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Netflix Original: Death To 2020 Documentary Review

Death To 2020 Cover Image| Wikipedia

With the pandemic, quarantine, BLM protests, Trump’s impeachment trial, the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and so much more 2020 is definitely a year to remember and is one for the books. 

Because of the way 2020 went, most people would probably not want to watch a recap of the past year and would like to move on towards making 2021 better than the last. However the Netflix Original documentary, Death to 2020, released on Dec. 27 2020, is not what many would have expected.

Death T0 2020 is a profoundly funny documentary highlighting all the events that occurred in 2020 in a comedic fashion; putting a more positive vibe on a year that much lacked optimism. The film has many award winning actors that add to the overall quality and satirical element of the film. Award winning actors like Lisa Kudrow, Kumail Nanjiani, Tracey Ullman, Samson Kayo, Leslie Jones, Diane Morgan, Cristin Milioti, Joe Keery, Samuel L Jackson and more played their comedic characters with grace and add their own unique spin to their role. 

Death To 2020 Cast | Netflix France

Each actor represents different stereotypes relevant to the year of 2020. For example: Jackson portrays Dash Bracket, a reporter for New Yorkerly News. 

Throughout the film he plays into the role of a very real and blunt reporter that talked about all that happened in 2020, while making his commentary blunt and funny at the same time. He made remarks about scandals and politcal situations, like referencing to the Bernie and Biden candidacy election.

“This was a choice between two guys in their late seventies. It was like being stuck on the character selection screen in geriatric Tekken,” Bracket said. 

Lisa Kudrow plays Jeanetta Grace Susan, the stereotypical “Non-Official Spokesperson” that denies the truth about everything political presented to her. 

“The whole impeachment thing was baseless, ok?”, Susan said. “The democrats claim that Trump pressure Ukraine into digging up dirt on the Biden family, and the only real evidence of that is a transcript of him doing it.”

Every character shown throughout the film was able to put their own unique spin and shine a different light on the events of 2020 with the use of irony and relatable humor. 

Hugh Grant as Tennyson Foss in Death To 2020 | RichardBejah.com

Grant’s character, Tennyson Foss, a Professor of History, talked about how the pandemic lockdown and the BLM protests overlapping eachother really made America hit a low point as a country. Foss was able to take a chaotic situation and make you feel a little relief with witty dialogue and a Game of Thrones reference.

“[…] With all this division and intractable conflict was tearing human kind asunder[…] at the worst possible time because of course, at the very moment we were preoccupied with fighting each other, the Corona Virus was bearing down upon us,” Foss said. “Those who have closely studies the history books […] knew that this was strongly reminiscent of the White Walkers led their army of the dead towards the warring factions of Westeros”. 

Christin Milioti plays Kathy Flowers who refers to herself as a “soccer mom” and labeled a “Karen” in the film. Being able to combine these two stereotypes with the same character gave  depth and really showed the creativity and flexibility of the writers. 

Despite the aforementioned positives, Death To 2020 was rated an overall 86% on Google, a 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, and an average of 3.5 stars out of 5 on Reddit. It was also on Netflix’s Top 10 list, once it came out, but only stayed there for a week because many critics were expecting a recap of the year’s relentless occasions and not a satirical mockumentary.

Overall, even though Death To 2020 had some mixed reviews, it still was a film that felt much needed. It gave a comedic perspective on all that transpired in 2020. Released just days before going into 2021, it was that final push needed for going into the new year.

Written by Kamara White

Senior, Kamara White, is the sports section editor for the MC SUN staff. She enjoys food, listening to music, watching Netflix, and sleeping. She plays club volleyball at WAVE and is on Varsity for MC.

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