Critics Have Seen Katrina: Come Hell Or High Water, And Seem To Be Saying The Same Thing About Netflix’s Spike Lee Doc

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Spike Lee, renowned for his documentary work on Hurricane Katrina’s impact on New Orleans, has continued his exploration of the subject with the production of “Katrina: Come Hell or High Water,” a three-part Netflix original docuseries released in 2025. This new series delves into the storm, flooding, and subsequent aftermath, adding another piece to Lee’s body of work on the topic, which includes the critically acclaimed “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts” and “If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise.” Now available for streaming with a Netflix subscription, the series has received positive feedback from critics who find it echoing their sentiments about the new television production.

The opening episodes by Geeta Gandbhir (“We Gonna Ride it Out Like We Always Do”) and Samantha Knowles (“Shelter of Last Resort”) contribute to an emotional tribute, according to Jack Seale from The Guardian. However, Lee’s “God Takes Care of Fools and Babies” stands out with interviews from New Orleans native Wendell Pierce, making the documentary a deeply insightful oral history.

Instead of starting with the first two episodes of “Come Hell and High Water,” you might consider watching “National Geographic’s Race Against Time” instead. However, be sure to return for Spike Lee’s closing documentary. This film presents a powerful oral history of New Orleans over the past two decades since the hurricane, highlighting the persistent injustices that have continued to affect the city post-flood. It features insights from creative personalities like actor Wendell Pierce and musician Branford Marsalis, alongside accounts from Katrina survivors.

According to Esther Zuckerman from The New York Times, she shared comparable views about the three-part series “Come Hell and High Water”. She noted that the initial two episodes effectively narrate the story, but it’s the Spike Lee segment that truly distinguishes this series.

In this series, each episode is individually directed by a different filmmaker, with all three episodes being deeply emotional and skillfully crafted. However, it’s the third episode that truly distinguishes the series – this time directed by Spike Lee, who was behind the acclaimed 2006 docuseries When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. With fresh perspectives and materials gathered over the past nearly two decades, Lee revisits New Orleans with a mix of sorrow, anger, and humor to depict how profoundly the community has been let down.

In comparison to numerous other Hurricane Katrina documentaries released prior to the storm’s 20th anniversary, Ben Travers of IndieWire notes that the initial two parts seem more like unconnected background information before Spike Lee’s 90-minute conclusion.

Despite not being a typical Spike Lee project, Come Hell or High Water assembles an unusual blend of this year’s productions. The initial two episodes, directed by Geeta Ghandbir and Samantha Knowles, seem like separate preludes leading up to Spike Lee’s central narrative. These episodes provide a general overview of the devastating 2005 hurricane’s impact on New Orleans, using fresh interviews and archived footage to create an engaging recap for those who may have forgotten, and a poignant reminder for those with personal connections to the event.

In other words, Chris Vognar from the Boston Globe called “God Takes Care of Fools and Babies” a distinctive Spike Lee production, marked by his bold commentary and visual flair that carves its own path.

The first two installments of Hell and High Water flow coherently, meticulously explaining the events post-storm and demonstrating how much of the subsequent tragedy could have been avoided with proper precautions. However, Episode 3 departs from this format, serving as a Spike Lee production that forges its unique path through the debris left by Hurricane Katrina. Although he is not physically present, his voice resonates often, posing further questions and expressing empathy. He frequently displays snippets of text from his interview subjects on screen: ‘Too little too late.’ ‘Systemic racism.’ ‘White folks.’ This episode also delves into various tangents, discussing themes such as Black self-love, COVID-19, and other relevant topics.

It can be confidently stated that critics have highly appreciated the third and concluding part of the documentary “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water“, as demonstrated by its flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re interested in understanding Hurricane Katrina’s tragedy and the subsequent transformation of New Orleans, Spike Lee’s timely relevant documentary is an excellent choice for education.

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2025-08-29 00:38