Coded Bias

2020 1h 26m EN

👍

6.9

SOLID

🔥

100%

CERTIFIED FRESH

👌

METACRITIC

⭐

6.7

IMDB

★6.9TMDB · 65🍅100%Rotten Tomatoes●73Metacritic★6.7IMDB · 2,799

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Exploring the fallout of MIT Media Lab researcher Joy Buolamwini's startling discovery that facial recognition does not see dark-skinned faces accurately, and her journey to push for the first-ever legislation in the U.S. to govern against bias in the algorithms that impact us all.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Joy Buolamwini
Self
Cathy O'Neil
Self
Meredith Broussard
Self
Silkie Carlo
Self
Virginia Eubanks
Self
Ravi Naik
Self
Safiya Umoja Noble
Self
Zeynep Tufekci
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Shalini Kantayya
Writers: Shalini Kantayya
Languages: Mandarin, English
Countries: United States of America, United Kingdom, China

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

86 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 6 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Mandarin, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom, China.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Alexandra Gilwit shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Joy Buolamwini and Cathy O'Neil and Meredith Broussard carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt11394170 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Shalini Kantayya directs. Alexandra Gilwit cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America, United Kingdom, China. Dialogue in Mandarin, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

186 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
2Released 6 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Mandarin, English.
4International production across 3 countries: United States of America, United Kingdom, China.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Editor Alexandra Gilwit shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Joy Buolamwini and Cathy O'Neil and Meredith Broussard carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt11394170 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 65 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
10Classified under 12 themes, including "artificial intelligence (a.i.)", "silicon valley", "civil rights", "sexism".

The technical file

Editing: Alexandra Gilwit
Runtime: 86 min · 1h 26m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Coded Bias (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% 🍅 Fresh
Metacritic: 73/100
IMDB rating: 6.7/10 · 2,799 votes
MPAA: TV-MA
US box office: $10,236

Awards

3 wins & 6 nominations

Also by

Shalini Kantayya

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

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Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Alunauwie2025-09-19
★ 10/10
Coded Bias is a powerful documentary that explores the ethical flaws in AI systems, particularly facial recognition, and highlights the experiences of researchers like Joy Buolamwini in exposing algorithmic bias. The film presents real-world cases that reveal how marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by AI errors, raising critical awareness among viewers. With a clear narrative, accessible explanations, and impactful stories like the infamous Tay bot incident, this film is a must-watch for Gen Z and tech users alike. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com)

Production companies