This film presents an expansive, rib-tickling, and subversive comedy that follows the eccentric, left-wing, populist filmmaker Michael Moore as he takes on the role of an "invader," visiting various nations to uncover how the United States could better its own future.
The journey begins with Moore's sarcastic voice-over, which describes his visit to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he receives the green light from the joint chiefs of staff to "invade" a series of countries. With this comedic premise, Moore embarks on a mission across Europe to address key issues he is passionate about, including worker benefits, school lunches, access to early education, and women's healthcare, among others.
In Italy, he explores a factory setting, engaging in discussions with the owner and employees about labor rights and the importance of worker well-being, such as paid holidays and parental leave. This insightful adventure culminates in a personal interview with Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati.
Moving to France, he visits an elementary school where he interacts with children and teachers—using a translator—to shed light on critical topics like school meals and sex education, pointing out the exploitative nature of the American education system.
In Finland, he dives into the country’s unique education policies, which include minimal homework and no standardized testing. His dialogue with Krista Kiuru, the Finnish Minister of Education, reveals the societal values that support such an effective system.
Moore then heads to Slovenia, where he meets university students to discuss the benefits of tuition-free higher education, asking about the political implications of education in the nation. He engages in dialogues with Ivan Svetlik, rector of the University of Ljubljana, and Borut Pahor, the President of Slovenia.
His exploration continues in Germany, where he visits factories and business parks, engaging with blue-collar workers through a translator to examine the labor rights and work-life balance that characterize the nation. Key discussions include topics related to education during the Nazi regime.
In Portugal, Moore arrives in Lisbon to converse with locals and three police officers about the May Day holiday, the country's progressive drug policies, and the notably humane stance on capital punishment.
Moving on to Norway, he contrasts Norway's compassionate prison system with the overcrowded facilities of the USA. He visits both Bastøy and Halden prisons, investigating a more rehabilitative approach to justice and reflections on the July 22, 2011 attacks perpetrated by right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik.
In Tunisia, Moore sits down with women activists to discuss the advancement of women’s rights, focusing on reproductive health, access to abortion, and the pivotal role of women during the Tunisian Revolution that led to the new Constitution of 2014.
His journey wraps up in Iceland, where he addresses women's leadership by talking with Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the world's first democratically elected female president, and members of the Best Party, including Jón Gnarr, who served as Mayor of Reykjavík. Moore also delves into the aftermath of the 2008-2011 financial crisis resulting from the investigation and prosecution of bankers, spotlighting special prosecutor Ólafur Hauksson's efforts.
In the culminating scenes set in Berlin, Moore reflects on how many progressive ideas that originated in the USA—such as the ban on cruel and unusual punishment, abolition of the death penalty, and the fight for women's equality—can inspire hope worldwide. He ties this message to the historical significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The film concludes with a memorable clip from the 1939 classic 'The Wizard of Oz', where Moore conveys the idea that the solutions to America's challenges have always been within reach, akin to Dorothy realizing she had the power to return home to Kansas with her magical red shoes.
