Documentary Review: Before the Flood (2016)

 A visionary wake-up call we still haven't fully answered. 

Nearly a decade has passed since the release of Before the Flood (2016), the powerful documentary directed by Fisher Stevens and fronted by environmental advocate and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. In many ways the film remains a hauntingly relevant call to action - a mirror held up to humanity, reflecting the environmental crossroads we faced then and still face today. watching it now in 2025 feels like revisiting a warning siren that blared loud and clear, yet was only partially heeded. 

At its core, "Before the Flood" painted a vivid picture of the climate crisis, blending start scientific evidence with deeply emotional storytelling. DiCaprio's journey across the globe (visiting melting Arctic ice, deforested rainforests, and flood-prone island nations) offered a visceral understanding of the interconnected systems being disrupted by human activity. The film challenged audiences to to confront uncomfortable truths about fossil fuels, industrial agriculture, and corporate greed, while also spotlighting solutions like renewable energy and sustainable practices.

Looking back, the documentary was prophetic. Many of its predictions, the intensification of extreme weather events, the acceleration of ice melt, and the rising displacement of vulnerable communities, have become our lived reality. Extreme heatwaves, wildfires, and floods are no longer future threats; they're dominating headlines in 2025. The film's urgency is no less relevant today than it was in 2016, perhaps even more so.

If you haven't seen "Before the Flood" yet, or if it's been a while, now is the time to revisit it. Let's not let this be another decade of missed opportunities. The time to save our world is today.