Wormwood

About Wormwood

Wormwood is a docuseries that was released in 2017. It combines both documentary and fictional elements to tell the story of the mysterious death of scientist Frank Olson. The series is directed by Errol Morris and is available on Netflix.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Wormwood revolves around the true story of Frank Olson, a scientist working for the CIA. In 1953, Olson fell to his death from a hotel room window, but the circumstances surrounding his death remained shrouded in mystery. The series delves into the conspiracy theories that emerged from Olson's death and the government's involvement in it. Mixing real interviews, archival footage, and fictionalized reenactments, Wormwood explores the enduring impact of Olson's death on his family, as well as the ethical implications of the CIA's secret experiments.

Making / Production

Wormwood is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Errol Morris, known for his documentaries such as The Thin Blue Line and The Fog of War. The series includes interviews with individuals connected to the case, including Frank Olson's son, Eric Olson, who dedicated his life to uncovering the truth about his father's death. The production blends documentary and fictional elements to create a unique storytelling experience that blurs the line between reality and imagination.

Actors

• Peter Sarsgaard as Frank Olson - Sarsgaard delivers a compelling performance as the central character of the series, Frank Olson, capturing the complexity of the scientist and the turmoil he faced.
• Molly Parker as Alice Olson - Parker portrays Alice Olson, Frank's wife, bringing depth and empathy to her character as she grapples with the aftermath of her husband's death.
• Christian Camargo as Dr. Harold Abramson - Camargo plays the role of Dr. Harold Abramson, a psychiatrist involved in the CIA's experiments. He adds an eerie element to the series with his enigmatic portrayal.
• Scott Shepherd as Sidney Gottlieb - Shepherd portrays Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA chemist at the forefront of the agency's mind-control research. His performance adds a sinister tone to the narrative.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Wormwood blends documentary interviews with stylized reenactments, creating a unique visual and narrative experience
• The title "Wormwood" is derived from the biblical term for a bitter substance, often associated with poison or punishment
• The series heavily relies on archival footage to provide historical context to the events surrounding Frank Olson's death
• Errol Morris spent several years researching the case and interviewing subjects before creating the series

Awards

No awards have been received by Wormwood at the time of writing.

Quotes

• "The biggest threat to democracy is the idea that it's invulnerable. From that point, it only takes a little blip here or there to disorient us entirely." - Eric Olson
• "Sometimes it isn't just about knowing. Sometimes it's about understanding." - Frank Olson

Music

The series incorporates a haunting and atmospheric score composed by Paul Leonard-Morgan. The music enhances the sense of mystery and tension throughout the narrative.

Soundtrack

• "Wormwood Theme" by Paul Leonard-Morgan
• "Hallucinations" by Paul Leonard-Morgan
• "Shadow Government" by Paul Leonard-Morgan
• "Infiltration" by Paul Leonard-Morgan