Natural Disasters

Death Without Mercy

2025 84m ⭐ 8.0/10 Documentary · Natural Disaster

Two Syrian families spend ten harrowing days searching for their loved ones in the wake of the February 2023 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people.

▶ Watch on Paramount+ 🔍 Find more docs

Details

Year

2025

Runtime

84m

Rating

8.0 / 10

Format

Documentary Film

Country

United States of America

Platform

Paramount+

Why Watch This

Director Waad Al-Kateab, an Oscar nominee for For Sama, builds the film almost entirely from CCTV, drone and cellphone footage recorded as it happened, and doesn't let the earthquake's status as a "natural" disaster excuse the corruption and lax building codes that made it so deadly.

If Death Without Mercy's focus on government failure resonated, The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari and Aftershock: Everest and the Nepal Earthquake cover similar gaps between official response and civilian rescue efforts.

Where to Watch

Region	Available	Platform
New Zealand	✅	Paramount+
Australia	✅	Paramount+
United States	✅	Paramount+
United Kingdom	✅	Paramount+
Canada	✅	Paramount+
Ireland	—	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Death Without Mercy a true story?

Yes, it documents the real February 2023 earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, one of the deadliest earthquakes of the 21st century.

Who directed it?

Waad Al-Kateab, the Syrian-British filmmaker previously Oscar-nominated for For Sama.

How many people died in the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake?

More than 50,000 people died across both countries, with the toll worsened by poor construction standards and slow rescue efforts.

Where can I watch it?

Death Without Mercy is streaming on Paramount+.