HBO has released a documentary called Gaming Wall Street, which chronicles the GameStop stock incident that took the internet by storm in January 2021. The two-part project takes a deep dive into the Reddit movement that created a short squeeze of GameStop stock, highlighting the mentality behind it and the realities it exposed.
Anyone fascinated by the GameStop incident and Robinhood’s reaction will no doubt enjoy the streamer’s analysis. And even those hearing about it for the first time may find themselves immersed in Gaming Wall Street. Here’s why it’s a must-watch documentary.
One of the clearest reasons to check out HBO’s Gaming Wall Street documentary is that Succession star Kieran Culkin narrates it.
Maintaining his usual charisma, Culkin breaks down the ins and outs of the stock market — as well as how a group of Redditors disrupted it — in easy-to-understand terms. He also injects humor into the documentary, breaking up the financial descriptions and analyses with relatable commentary.
Culkin is well known for his role as Roman Roy, and his inclusion in Gaming Wall Street adds some familiarity to the project. Of course, he’s not the only reason to tune in — but he’s sure to draw the attention of Succession fans.
Not only does HBO’s two-part documentary feature entertaining commentary, but it breaks down the GameStop situation — and the stock market in general — in simple terms. That means even viewers with little knowledge of how the system works can keep up with the story being told.
Experts make sure to define key finance phrases before explaining the role they played in the GameStop saga. Definitions are typed out on-screen, and the analysts connect them to the main topic using straightforward language.
Gaming Wall Street serves a beginner’s class on the stock market as much as a recap of one specific event. And it offers multiple perspectives on the system, featuring experts and advisors in addition to the faces behind the r/wallstreetbets subreddit. The range of speakers enables viewers to understand the situation from multiple angles, resulting in content that’s both educational and relatable.
And Gaming Wall Street doesn’t shy away from the importance of recounting this story. Although it sticks to the facts, it gets to the heart of why the GameStop incident matters.
GameStop, Reddit, and Wall Street. Gaming Wall Street is now streaming on HBO Max. pic.twitter.com/jiAiM62peN
In addition to describing the GameStop short squeeze and Robinhood’s response in detail, HBO’s Gaming Wall Street documentary does a solid job of explaining why viewers should care.
For one, it connects what happened in January 2021 back to the stock market crash of 2008. It details how the policies often utilized by hedge funds tie into both events. It also notes that the Redditors behind the GameStop movement felt they were settling a score after the crash negatively impacted so many.
HBO’s documentary also unravels the inequities exposed by the whole affair. Gaming Wall Street compares the actions of the Redditors to the everyday maneuvering of wealthy companies. In doing so, it suggests different groups are beholden to vastly different sets of rules, signaling a power imbalance.
Finally, the documentary ends with a powerful message, urging viewers to pay attention to where they spend their money. Gaming Wall Street argues that consumers can make an impact through their own choices. And really, the GameStop stock incident proves as much.
Gaming Wall Street is currently streaming on HBO Max.
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