Boeing's Dark Past Exposed in Chilling Documentary 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing'

The documentary 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing' is a follow-up to director Rory Kennedy's previous film, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing. This new installment examines the death of former Boeing employee John Barnett and other incidents involving the aircraft giant. Barnett was a quality control manager who raised concerns about Boeing's manufacturing and safety practices before his death in 2024. Although ruled out as a suicide, the circumstances surrounding his treatment have left many questions unanswered.

The documentary also delves into the arrival of CEO Jim McNerney in 2005, which led to aggressive cost-cutting, outsourcing, and shareholder returns. This significant change caused a rift between engineering and management at Boeing. Interviews, archival footage, and disturbing images of Boeing's manufacturing operations provide insight into how the company has been operating.

Director Kennedy covers various incidents, including the Alaska Airlines incident where a door plug blew out while the flight was in the air. The documentary is ruthless in exposing Boeing's corporate failures and encourages viewers to look beyond media coverage. By examining the safety questions that arise from these incidents, 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing' provides a tense and uncomfortable watch.

While the events covered may seem repetitive compared to Kennedy's previous film, this repetition is necessary to convey the importance of the plot. The documentary's pacing is brisk, making it easy to follow the gripping narrative.