Review: The Jihadis Next Door

The Jihadis Next Door is a chilling documentary recently released on Netflix that looks at Islamic extremism in London. Filmmaker Jamie Roberts followed a number of Islamic extremists for two years documenting their behaviours and regularly challenging them on their views on Islam, Syria and British society.

The result? A terrifying portrayal of the delusion that exists right under our noses here in London. As we follow Roberts and Muslims such as Abu Ramaysah, we are privy to the inner world of Islamic extremism, their daily behaviours and insights into what they actually believe in. To avoid being arrested, none of them can openly admit to supporting ISIS (as this carries a 10-year sentence) but it is quite clear that this is the case from the conversations we hear. We accompany them to rallies and watch them get shouted and spat at by orthodox Muslims who can’t fathom what they stand for; one of whom repeatedly says to the camera “these people are ISIS, these people are ISIS” before walking off in disgust. This type of behaviour is greeted with apathy and evil smiles by the extremists.

One of the most shocking elements of the documentary is the fact that Ramaysah, who features at the beginning, is revealed to have fled Britain to Syria and reported to have carried out the murder of five Brits suspected of spying on ISIS in the grim video released last year. Given that he appears in this documentary and openly converses with Roberts during the opening scenes, this will truly send shivers down your spine.

It is simply a bone-chilling insight into a shocking world that exists around us and will knot your stomach with anger, fear and disbelief. These people whole-heartedly believe the black flag of ISIS will hang over 10 Downing Street in the near-future and they make up a very scary niche of society here in Britain. Check out the trailer here.