Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 is now streaming on Netflix

Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7 is now streaming on Netflix

Is there a better combination than Aaron Sorkin and a courtroom drama? Sorkin is the mastermind behind Broadway plays like A Few Good Men and To Kill a Mockingbird that centers around the courtroom and its surrounding dynamics. Sorkin steps behind the camera for his latest courtroom and political drams, The Trial of the Chicago 7, which is now streaming on Netflix.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 is based on a group of seven defendants charged with inciting riots and conspiracy that took place in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The protests and eventual riots were in response to a growing opposition to the Vietnam War. The film will follow the events of the convention and the subsequent trial.

Many of Sorkin’s works like The West Wing and A Few Good Men include strong ensemble casts made up of a variety of film, television, and stage actors. The Trial of Chicago 7 will follow this model as well. The three actors that will be positioned in leading roles are Sacha Baron Cohen as Abbie Hoffman, Eddie Redmayne as Tom Hayden, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Bobby Seale.

The remaining members of the cast include Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winners. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Frank Langella, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Mark Rylance, and Michael Keaton all play supporting roles in the film.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 details

In addition to writing the script, Sorkin directed the film as well, which marks his second time directing a feature film behind 2017’s Molly’s Game. The Trial of the Chicago 7 was originally scheduled for a theatrical release by Paramount Pictures. However, due to the global pandemic, Netflix purchased the distributing rights.

What will you be watching this weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Stream The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix.