Bad Axe

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2:30

Bad Axe

2022

1h 42m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

97%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Cambodian Killing Fields.

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Critics Consensus

Making discomfiting statements about American political willpower and race relations, Bad Axe offers a close-up perspective on societal turmoil during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Richard Whittaker

Austin Chronicle

Dec 15, 2022

3.5/5

This is a family story – of a time, a place, an event, a community – in all its rich and quiet nuance, with all the members, related by blood or by affection, given their space.

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Claudia Puig

FilmWeek (LAist)

Nov 30, 2022

A stirring tribute to strong family ties and triumphing over adversity.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Nov 22, 2022

4/4

“Bad Axe” comes out the most organic, showing not telling about this family of immigrants and their bonds to get through the toughest times.

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Aaron Murray

Loud and Clear Reviews

Mar 3, 2026

4/5

A devastating yet incredibly inspirational documentary depicting a family on the edge of a political and societal revolution.

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Calvin Law

The Asian Cut

Aug 2, 2025

4/5

By following the Siev family through the troubled lockdowns, 'Bad Axe' utilizes the power of observation in watching them work tirelessly for their community.

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Carla Hay

Culture Mix

Apr 1, 2023

Bad Axe is more than just a documentary about a family-owned restaurant trying to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's also an emotionally stirring and heartfelt story about immigration, dealing with bigotry, and the significance of family legacies.

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dave d

@RT34924333 Jan 29, 2024

A documentary feature from first-time filmmaker David Siev who puts on screen a love letter to his family that punched me in the gut in the final 15 minutes. Siev is the son to parents who own a restaurant, Rachel's, which is one of two centerpieces of the film. The other, Bad Axe, Michigan will be a town you most certainly will remember thanks to Siev. There are times when the drama seems a touch created, but others where it's all too real. What was it like for Asian Americans to live under Trump? Kudos to Siev who actually managed to make Kamala Harris sound good. This guy is magic! This doc will draw you in with the character and charm of its subject matter. Final Score: 8.8/10

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Wally A

@RT09320876 Nov 16, 2023

Fantastic doc! Wow! Still blown away after seeing it. If I'm ever in this town, I know where I'm eating for dinner. 😊💪

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Josh D

@RT64344201 Sep 20, 2023

Beautiful documentary about a struggling restaurant family.

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greg r

@itsgregsworld Jan 21, 2023

We live in this beautiful country with about 38% traitors. Anti American gaslighters. It's disgusting. This movie shows you the struggle we all face against these nasty people.

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Vin E

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Dec 2, 2022

I loved spending time with this family!!

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Linda B

@RT77187235 Dec 2, 2022

Really well done. Truthful and empathetic.

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David Siev

Director

Jude Hope Harris

Producer

Diane Moy Quon

Producer

David Siev

Producer

Katarina Vasquez

Producer

Dawn Bonder

Executive Producer

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Bad Axe: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump's rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive in the face of a pandemic, Neo-Nazis, and generational scars from the Cambodian Killing Fields.

Director: David Siev
Producer: Jude Hope Harris, Diane Moy Quon, David Siev, Katarina Vasquez
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: The deNovo Initiative
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 18, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2022
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0K
Runtime: 1h 42m

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