RKS 2023 Film: Expectation of Yet Another American Mass Murder: “Stranger at the Gate”

For much of the world the United States is the epicentre of the mass murder. Most likely well earned but we have seen them in Canada, Sweden and France amongst other countries.

Watching “Stranger at the Gate” sigh and expect yet another documentary on an American mass murder? Richard McKinney has the credentials of a mass murderer. A 25-year veteran of the United States Marines well versed in weaponry and explosives. A man admitting he has been involved in death with a hatred of Muslims as after all they were the enemy in his tours of duty. Then living in Muncie, Indiana his daughter returns from school confused about a woman in a burka she saw picking up her daughter at school. Richard goes ballistic seething with hatred about the enemy in his midst. He manufactures an IED. He then visits the enemies at the Muncie Islamic Centre planning death and injury on 200 people.

You may be so sick of disturbed individuals and frightened of the damage a U.S. Marine can wreak you may not want to see the film through to its conclusion. But please continue. In a planned mass murder is there any hope at all?

“Stranger at the Gate” is an Oscar nominated short film 2023. Directed by Joshua Seftel and Conall Jones. If you are in Toronto “Stranger at the Gate” and the four other shorts can be seen at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on February 24. Check out their website here https://hotdocs.ca/