The Fifth Estate

In 2007, Daniel Domscheit-Berg meets Julian Assange for the first time at the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin. This meeting marks the beginning of their partnership centered around their shared vision for WikiLeaks and online activism.

After corresponding over email, Daniel expresses his eagerness to collaborate with Assange on WikiLeaks. This platform aims to expose classified information while protecting the identities of whistleblowers, signifying a new era of transparency.

Their first significant project involves investigating the Swiss bank Julius Baer, which is implicated in illicit activities through its Cayman Islands branch. Despite legal actions taken by Baer to shut them down, a judge ultimately lifts the restrictions, allowing them to reclaim the domain name.

Over the following years, Daniel and Assange publish various sensitive leaks, including details about Scientology and Sarah Palin's email account. Daniel feels a sense of purpose, believing they are engaged in a noble fight for transparency.

As their operations expand, the relationship between Daniel and Assange begins to deteriorate. Personal and professional setbacks affect Daniel, who ultimately loses his job while Assange remains focused on the mission, leading to increasing tension.

Assange's brusque demeanor further strains their partnership. Incidents such as abandoning Daniel at a family dinner amplify existing rifts, causing Daniel to question Assange's true character and motivations.

Flashbacks reveal Assange's troubled childhood and ties to a dubious cult. These insights lead Daniel to speculate whether Assange’s passion for WikiLeaks stems from unresolved trauma rather than altruism.

The situation escalates dramatically when Bradley Manning leaks a trove of documents, including the notorious 'Collateral Murder' video and millions of classified cables. Daniel insists on reviewing the documents before publication to ensure the safety of informants.

Major news outlets collaborate with WikiLeaks to distribute the leaked documents while portraying the organization positively. Meanwhile, both Daniel and the media pressure Assange to redact names to protect sources, an agreement he hesitates to honor.

As tensions peak, Daniel realizes Assange plans to disregard their agreement on document redaction. In a decisive move, he and the original WikiLeaks team cut ties with Assange, effectively erasing the site and blocking him from their server.

After severing ties with Assange, Daniel confides in a reporter from The Guardian about the consequences of their partnership. He expresses concern over granting Assange excessive visibility, complicating the narrative around their disclosures.

In the aftermath of his experiences with Assange, Daniel publishes a book detailing his time at WikiLeaks. This leads to tensions as Assange threatens legal action, asserting that the book misrepresents the facts.

The film concludes with Assange seeking refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid arrest over sexual misconduct allegations. He uses an interview to criticize upcoming films about WikiLeaks and reflects on his partnership with Daniel.

In the final moments, it’s revealed that WikiLeaks continues to operate, with hints that Assange may have regained control of the platform or established a new one after parting ways with Daniel. This suggests that the legacy of their work still impacts the world.