The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

NR 2014 · 105 min · ★ 7.9 · Documentary, Crime

Programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz achieved groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing. His passion for open access ensnared him in a legal nightmare that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26.

Directed by Brian Knappenberger · Written by Brian Knappenberger

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Apple TV Store

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 18m together

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

Church and the Fourth Estate

Both from Brian Knappenberger.

More from Brian KnappenbergerSee all →

Turning Point: Generation 9/11
NEW
Turning Point: Generation 9/11 · 2026
Turning Point: Generation 9/11
9.02026
MovieDocumentary
A quarter-century after September 11th, the attacks' ripple effects persist across generations. Orphaned children, War on Terror journalists, young Afghans, and U.S. Marines shaped by the 2021 withdrawal share their stories.
Church and the Fourth EstateChurch and the Fourth Estate · 2020
Church and the Fourth Estate
9.02020
MovieDocumentary
A reporter uncovers a file that reveals a shocking series of child abuse allegations in Idaho's Boy Scouts, which rattle the community and implicate the Mormon church. The story reveals long-running crimes that threaten to bankrupt the Boy Scouts.
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold WarTurning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War · 2024
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War
7.92024
SeriesDocumentary
With firsthand accounts and access to prominent figures around the world, this comprehensive docuseries explores the Cold War and its aftermath.
The Program: Cons, Cults, and KidnappingThe Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping · 2024
The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping
7.52024
SeriesDocumentary
Years after being sent to a disciplinary school, a woman still haunted by her experiences exposes the corruption and abuse of the troubled teen industry.
The Trials of Gabriel FernandezThe Trials of Gabriel Fernandez · 2020
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
7.42020
SeriesDocumentaryCrime
A boy’s brutal murder and the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system’s protection of vulnerable children.
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of AmericaScouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America · 2023
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America
7.42023
MovieDocumentaryCrime
Survivors, whistleblowers, and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decadeslong cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.
Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on TerrorTurning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror · 2021
Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror
7.32021
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
Modern history can be divided into two time frames: before 9/11 and after 9/11. This five-part docuseries is a cohesive chronicle of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S., offering illuminating perspectives and personal stories of how the catastrophic events of that day changed the course of the nation.
Turning Point: The Vietnam WarTurning Point: The Vietnam War · 2025
Turning Point: The Vietnam War
7.22025
SeriesDocumentaryWar & Politics
This thought-provoking documentary series examines the harrowing consequences of the Vietnam War, from the Gulf of Tonkin incident to the fall of Saigon.
They'll Love Me When I'm DeadThey'll Love Me When I'm Dead · 2018
They'll Love Me When I'm Dead
7.12018
MovieDocumentary
As his life comes to its end, famous Hollywood director Orson Welles puts it all on the line at the chance for renewed success with the film The Other Side of the Wind.
We Are Legion: The Story of the HacktivistsWe Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists · 2012
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists
7.12012
MovieDocumentary
Takes us inside the world of Anonymous, the radical "hacktivist" collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age. The film explores early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, then moves to Anonymous' raucous beginnings on the website 4chan. Through interviews with current members, people recently returned from prison or facing trial, writers, academics, activists and major players in various "raids," the documentary traces Anonymous’ evolution from merry pranksters to a full-blown movement with a global reach, the most transformative civil disobedience of our time.
X-Men: The Mutant WatchX-Men: The Mutant Watch · 2000
X-Men: The Mutant Watch
7.02000
MovieDocumentary
While Senator Kelly addresses a senate committee about the supposed mutant menace, we learn about the making of the movie, X-Men (2000)
For the Bible Tells Me SoFor the Bible Tells Me So · 2007
For the Bible Tells Me So
6.92007
MovieDocumentary
An exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S. and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.
Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the InternetWeb of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet · 2022
Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet
6.72022
SeriesDocumentaryCrime
Conspiracy. Fraud. Violence. Murder. What starts out virtual can get real all too quickly — and when the web is worldwide, so are the consequences.
Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free PressNobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press · 2017
Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press
6.02017
MovieDocumentary
The courtroom and publicity battles between the superstar wrestler and the notorious website explode in a sensational trial all about the limits of the First Amendment and the new no holds barred nature of celebrity life in an internet dominated society.
Elvis Took a BulletElvis Took a Bullet · 2001
Elvis Took a Bullet
5.52001
MovieCrime
Jeff Wilkes is a doctor who has a phobia of dead people, orders five limes with his vodka tonic, and is a "Scuzz" B-movie freak. New to L.A., he answers an ad for a roommate and meets Aron Presley, a young man who believes he is Elvis reincarnated. Confronted with the fact that his own reincarnation is impossible, since he was alive when Elvis died, Aron calmly answers, "In L.A., you create your own reality." After a bizarre interview to be a roommate, Jeff moves in with Aron, and falling prey to Aron's plan, gets blackmailed into an elaborate scheme filled with drugs, sex and blue suede shoes. With more twists and turns than the presidential election.
The American ExperimentThe American Experiment · 2026
The American Experiment
5.12026
SeriesDocumentary
Life. Liberty. The pursuit of happiness. This sweeping historical documentary series traces how the ideals of America's founders gave rise to a nation.

More Like This

Grizzly ManGrizzly Man · 2005
Grizzly Man
7.52005
MovieDocumentary
Follows the story of "Grizzly Man" Timothy Treadwell and what the thirteen summers in a National Park in Alaska were like in his attempt to protect the grizzly bears. The film is full of unique images and a look into the spirit of a man who sacrificed himself for nature.
Batman BeginsBatman Begins · 2005
Batman Begins
7.72005
MovieDramaCrime
Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.
CapoteCapote · 2005
Capote
7.02005
MovieCrimeDrama
A biopic of writer Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book "In Cold Blood".
MonsterMonster · 2003
Monster
7.22003
MovieCrimeDrama
In 1989, prostitute Aileen Wuornos befriends and enters a relationship with a young woman named Selby. Determined to straighten out her life, Aileen's limited education lands her back on the corner. She's raped by a trick, who she kills. A string of murder and robbery follows that ultimately leads Aileen to becoming America's first female serial killer.
Dial M for MurderDial M for Murder · 1954
Dial M for Murder
8.01954
MovieThrillerCrime
When her American lover visits London, a wealthy woman’s jealous husband hatches a plan to murder her and inherit her fortune.
An Honest LiarAn Honest Liar · 2014
An Honest Liar
7.12014
MovieHistoryComedy
An Honest Liar tells the incredible story of the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James 'The Amazing' Randi. The film brings to life Randi's intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos.
GoodFellasGoodFellas · 1990
GoodFellas
8.51990
MovieDramaCrime
The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter