GameStopped

GameStopped is a gripping 2021 ABC News production that delves into one of the most controversial financial events to shake Wall Street and the world economy in recent memory: the GameStop stock trading frenzy. It's a nose dive into a realm that intertwines money, big business, internet culture, and everyday people, illustrating not just a financial quagmire but a monumental zeitgeist.

Hosted by ABC News Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, the creator and host of "The Dropout" podcast, which charted the journey of Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, GameStopped brings her insightful and fluid narration skills to the fore in this documentary. Jarvis's probing journalism style paired with authoritative analysis from the ABC News team make for a thoroughly captivating viewing experience as they navigate the tumultuous waters of this financial storm.

GameStopped shifts the spotlight from the gleaming skyscrapers of Wall Street to the unassuming homes of small investors who played a huge role in the GameStop saga. It traces the emergence and growth of stock trading among ordinary citizens, a trend fueled by low-cost trading apps that grew significantly during the pandemic-led lockdowns. It delves into the reasons for the sudden, astronomical rise in GameStop's stock, primarily driven by small investors rallying through Reddit's WallStreetBets forum, which positioned this as a David vs Goliath fight against the institutional financiers and hedge funds.

Moreover, it explores the repercussions of this event and its implications on the American capitalist framework. The mania surrounding GameStop stocks can't be simplified to mere market dynamics, as it hinted at a deep-seated resentment against Wall Street and its perceived unfair practices. This revolutionary aspect is not lost in GameStopped, as it aims to analyze the motivations and sentiments of the individual investors.

Comprising in-depth interviews, dramatic footage and graphical illustrations, GameStopped weaves a complex tale about the state of today's financial landscape. From featuring personal stories of those who risked their savings on GameStop's stock and those that profited, to professionals who provide the necessary context and analysis, GameStopped serves as a mirror to society's relationship with money and power.

What adds a slice of credibility to this documentary is the incorporation of ABC News' access to Robinhood Co-CEO Vlad Tenev, for his first interview post the GameStop saga, considering Robinhood's central role in the event. Interviews with other key figures - congresspeople, economists, Wall Street insiders, Redditors engaged in the trading frenzy, and GameStop employees - give a multilayered perspective.

Another striking feature of the show is its focus on regulation in financial markets. It discusses the financial protection measures in place, enquiring if they are enough and if they function as they should, given that the Reddit-driven stock push was seen by many as market manipulation.

Lastly, GameStopped also offers a predictive commentary, attempting to chart where we go from here. As always, unanticipated events inspire reflection and rethinking in every sphere, including finance. Having experienced such an extraordinary event, questions are raised about how such events can be anticipated and managed better, preventing detrimental consequences for small investors as well as financial institutions.

To sum up, GameStopped is a contemporary financial documentary that extends beyond the realm of finance into the psyche of society. It touches upon wealth, power, rebellion, collective drive, hierarchical structures, and the shifting dynamics of our digital era. Through the lens of the GameStop saga, it critiques the established order, questioning the fairness of the financial system, and provoking thought about its future. Overall, it is a compelling watch for anyone interested in finance, economics, or just recent historic events.