Watch Path of Blood

Path of Blood is a gripping 2018 documentary-style film that takes a deep dive into the real-life activities of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The movie showcases the brutal acts of terrorism carried out by the members of AQAP through a collection of raw, unsanitized footage shot by the terrorists themselves. Directed by Jonathan Hacker and produced by Mark Boal, Path of Blood is a testament to the harrowing reality of religious extremism and the lengths at which people would go to carry out their misguided beliefs about the world around them.

The movie opens with a warning to the viewers that the footage may be disturbing, but it is a small price to pay for gaining insight into a group that poses a risk to the entire globe. We are then introduced to the first member of AQAP, a young man named Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, who places explosives on his body with the intention of carrying out a suicide mission in Saudi Arabia. The grim yet captivating opening sequence sets the tone for the rest of the film.

The majority of the footage that features in Path of Blood is taken from the terrorists' own videos. Through this footage, we are made privy to their day-to-day activities, their training, and their indoctrination. We see them talk about their observations about the world - its politics, religion, and other topics - and how they believe their view of radical Islam is the only way to bring about change.

In one scene, we see Ahmed, who speaks about his struggles with depression and how he sees the world as a horrible place. He says that the only way to make things better is by carrying out attacks against the infidels. Through this, we get an understanding of the mental state of the terrorists, their belief system, and the profound impact that brainwashing has had on them.

The movie makes it abundantly clear that AQAP is an organization that operates with a considerable level of competence. There is no shortage of footage that portrays them as cold-hearted and organized, gathering intelligence, planning strategic attacks, and executing them with precision. In one of the more disturbing scenes, we see the terrorists kill a Yemeni soldier, and then celebrate triumphantly while holding up the soldier's body parts in front of the camera.

The documentary style of the movie combined with the shocking footage creates a sense of dread that is difficult to shake off. There are no heroes in this film, and there is no happy ending. Religious extremism has its roots in the belief that the world is deeply flawed, and the only way to make things right is by torturing and killing others.

The film is also notable for the absence of any commentary or opinions from the filmmakers, which adds to its authenticity. There are no talking heads, no experts explaining the motivations or plans of AQAP. The footage, captured with little or no editing, speaks for itself.

One of the most poignant moments of the film is when we see the aftermath of a failed attack. The footage is graphic, and we see blood and bodies scattered in the aftermath of what was meant to be a fatal blow against the Saudi state. But as we see the reactions of the AQAP members to their failures, there is a realization that they are human beings. They laugh, they joke, they make mistakes, and they feel pain.

In conclusion, Path of Blood is an intense, unflinching look at terrorism and the deep state of mind of the terrorists. The use of real-life footage makes it all the more harrowing and, at times, almost unbearable to watch. But the film should be seen as a stark reminder of the reality of religious extremism and the danger it poses to the world. Ultimately, Path of Blood is a powerful and affecting film that is essential viewing for anyone who is interested in understanding the motivations behind terrorism.

Path of Blood is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 63.