‘Thoughts & Prayers’ examines shooter preparedness in the face of political apathy

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The new HBO documentary, “Thoughts & Prayers,” which premieres Tuesday, examines the multi-billion dollar industry that has sprung up around preparing for active shooter events. While the film presents its subject matter in a straightforward manner, its title – a phrase often associated with empty political gestures – hints at a critical perspective. The documentary’s full title is “How to Survive an Active Shooter in America.”

This industry encompasses a range of training programs for teachers, students, and first responders, alongside products designed to enhance security – things like locks, alarms, robotic dogs, and bulletproof items such as backpacks, glass, and classroom shelters. One company even offers customized bulletproof wall art and a skateboard that doubles as a self-defense shield. The founder openly admits that their business profits from tragedies, predicting they could become a $300-million company by the time this documentary is released.

Some companies are profiting from preparing for mass shootings – one sells easy-to-use tourniquets, another creates realistic fake bullet wounds for training drills. This feels like an exaggerated response that avoids addressing the root causes of gun violence, instead placing the burden on potential victims and suggesting the problem is unsolvable. It echoes a cynical observation, frequently made by The Onion, that the U.S. is unique in its repeated experience with these tragedies and its seeming acceptance of them.

Zackary Canepari and Jessica Dimmock direct this darkly comedic and unsettling film, presented in a style reminiscent of Errol Morris – formal and objective. Jarred Alterman’s beautiful cinematography enhances both the seriousness and the strangeness of the subject matter, while also highlighting its everyday and often ridiculous aspects. The film frequently focuses on direct shots of its subjects, observing their reactions – or lack thereof – including moments where they appear with mock injuries from role-playing games. It gains power simply by lingering on faces and tracking subtle expressions. The camera remains still, and action unfolds within the frame, sometimes in slow motion, echoing the feel of movie violence. However, this observational style is unfortunately weakened by an overly dramatic soundtrack, which undermines the film’s credibility. While a misstep in terms of style and approach, it doesn’t completely detract from the overall experience.

Over 20 million adults have received training on how to react to active shooter situations, including practicing techniques like barricading doors or disarming an attacker, often through realistic video simulations. In Provo, Utah, teachers are even learning to use firearms. However, the most impactful response often comes from simply connecting with and supporting students. It’s estimated that 95% of American schools conduct lockdown drills, sometimes starting as early as preschool, where scenarios are adapted—like using ‘dinosaurs’ instead of shooters—to lessen the potential trauma.

The movie’s climax centers around a large-scale drill at a Medford, Oregon high school. This “mass casualty drill” was planned after a school janitor confessed to having violent thoughts and police discovered weapons and an attack plan at his home. During the drill, students acting as injured victims are scattered throughout the hallways and gym, while people wearing masks simulate shooters moving from room to room. The police chief holds a staged press conference, meant to appear like a real event.

Afterward, the school superintendent acknowledged the difficult situation, saying, “This is the truth of where we are, both in our country and in our community.” However, they also expressed sadness about having to make these tough decisions, and admitted to questioning whether the changes would even make a difference, hoping they wouldn’t have to see the negative consequences.

Honestly, what we call a debate about guns feels so limited – just snippets of arguments shouted back and forth in Congress. And then you have people like this one trainer, Thrasher, who claims the issue isn’t the guns themselves, but broken families and a loss of community. But it’s Quinn, a high school student from Long Island, who really seems to get to the heart of the matter. I think she deserves to have the final say – her perspective feels the most real and important here.

It feels like adults often don’t listen to what young people think. We constantly worry about our safety at school – the possibility of shootings, losing friends or teachers. It’s frustrating because it often seems like some people prioritize gun rights over the safety of students. They seem to care more about their own freedoms than about protecting us, and that’s really discouraging.

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2025-11-18 22:33