The Post

In the midst of the escalating Vietnam War, a sense of unease settles over the nation, as the truth about government involvement in the military conflict slowly unravels. It is within this tense atmosphere that The Post emerges, a factual account of a pivotal moment in American journalism that reveals the power of the press to hold those in power accountable. Daniel H. Brenner (Stef Tovar), a young Air Force pilot, is a key witness in the My Lai Massacre, a brutal incident in which hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians were slaughtered by American soldiers during the war. Despite the gravity of his testimony, the U.S. government works tirelessly to silence Brenner, refusing to grant him immunity for his cooperation with federal investigators probing into the atrocity. Fearing retribution, Brenner's family reaches out to Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), the matriarch of The Washington Post, in a desperate bid to secure their son's safety and protect his rights. Graham, a naive and ambitious publisher, is initially oblivious to the weight of the story. Still, as she becomes increasingly entangled in the complex web of politics and ethics, Katharine finds herself drawn to the importance of the narrative, realizing that it represents a defining moment in the country's turbulent past. With each passing day, Graham is confronted by the far-reaching consequences of the government's actions and the Post's coverage of the My Lai Massacre. Her resolute commitment to uncovering the truth ultimately places her at odds with President Lyndon B. Jonson (Bomani Jones), setting her on a collision course with those in power. Ben Bagdikian (Tom Hanks), a resourceful and dogged reporter, forms an unlikely partnership with Graham, as they navigate the unforgiving landscape of Washington politics. Together, they relentlessly pursue Brenner's story, refusing to back down from the formidable forces arrayed against them. As Bagdikian immerses himself in the narrative, he experiences firsthand the fear and intimidation inspired by those who seek to suppress it. Throughout the 18-night editorial battle, one that would either forge the Post's long-awaited test of courage or plunge the newspaper into the abyss of irrelevance, Graham's character flourishes, refining her vision of journalism as a platform where fearless investigation propels the nation toward self-awareness and reform. The film masterfully probes the intimate dynamics at play within the Graham family, capturing the complexities and the constraints women faced during this era of tumultuous social change. Under the searing spotlight of public scrutiny, the newspaper becomes an unlikely force for courage, embroiled in a high-stakes tug-of-war with two U.S. Presidents and national institutions recklessly defending their power and legacy. Graham crafts a decision that will forever place her on the record for demonstrating unwavering determination in the pursuit of truth, using the powerful phrase, "I'd rather have newspapers articles telling the people that Potomac and Belvoir Streams are being dumped upon by nearby strip mines, than to have some politician say I should have an executive order limiting or even banning the freedom of the press." A resolute Katharine faces President Nixon, only for the two leaders to ultimately meet in a bold exhibition of wills. Ultimately, The Post lays bare a monumental test of courage as Katharine Graham faces off against Ronald Ziegler (Bob Odenkirk), a State Department official who strongly expresses Nixon's disdain for her newspaper's coverage of the war. It brings stark clarity to her decision, and shows the extent of presidential pressures exerted against the growing impact of the nation's free press, which she staunchly prefers over executive orders.