Seduced by terrorism: meet Jihad Jane

"Fascinating. You couldn’t make it up.” (Screen International)

New and exclusive to iwonder this Thursday 6th August comes Jihad Jane, the captivating tale of two American women’s descent into terrorism, the dark and damaged pasts that paved their way to radicalisation and the trail of shock and disbelief they left in their wake.

Watch Jihad Jane Streaming Online | iwonder
This film tells the stories of Colleen LaRose (Jihad Jane) and Jamie Paulin Ramirez (Jihad Jamie) – two blue-eyed, blonde suburban women from the U.S. – who were separately radicalised by Islamic extremists online and brought into an al-Qaeda plot to kill Swedish cartoonist, Lars Vilks. Dubbed as th…

In March 2010, two American women, including one who named herself ‘Jihad Jane’, were taken into custody as part of a number of high-profile arrests in Waterford, Ireland. In 2014 Jihad Jane, real name Colleen LaRose, a blonde, blue-eyed woman from suburban Philadelphia, was convicted of conspiracy to murder a Swedish artist who drew a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad.

Handled sensitively throughout, and with unprecedented access to the people involved, for the first time ever the documentary tells the story of LaRose’s path to terrorism and her radicalisation via the dark corners of social media and the internet.

Dating back to a childhood filled with abuse, the film shows how those early years paved the way for the damaged and doomed relationships that followed and her eventual decision to leave the US to join the Algerian leader of a Jihadist group.

Set against the backdrop of post 9-11 America, what emerges is a thought-provoking and haunting portrait of a world caught up in the turmoil of terrorism and how two vulnerable, white, suburban women were taken down a path of radical extremism through online forums and internet propaganda.

Commenting on the launch of Jihad Jane, available to stream exclusively on iwonder, Head of Content Alexandra Fox-Hughes says:

While no-one can excuse the actions of two women who followed the dark path we see in Jihad Jane, what emerges is a far more complex and nuanced story of how scars from the past can create personal demons from which some people are unable to escape.”

Viewers new to iwonder in Australia can watch Jihad Jane for free by signing up to the 30-day free trial to period, while also gaining access to 1,000+ other acclaimed documentary films and series.

Priced at $6.99 monthly or $69.90 annually, viewers  can enjoy iwonder on their mobile phones via iOS and Android apps, browsers at www.iwonder.com, with Apple TV, Android TV or through Google Chromecast or Apple’s Airplay.


Watch the trailer here


Selected film reviews

Jihad Jane review – the women seduced by terrorism
This powerful documentary delves into the lives of Colleen LaRose and Jamie Paul Ramirez who were involved in a plot to murder a controversial cartoonist
Jihad Jane (2019)
Two American women are radicalized by Islamic extremists online and brought into an Al-Qaeda plot to kill artist Lars Vilks.
Jihad Jane and the Waterford link in new documentary
Ciaran Cassidy’s fascinating documentary, Jihad Jane, hears the stories of two American women who were imprisoned following charges related to terrorist conspiracy in 2010.
‘Jihad Jane’ review: lies, deceit and murder in a tale of terrorist seduction
How a classic holiday hookup led Colleen LaRose to a life behind bars. ‘Jihad Jane’ is the story of America’s youngest ever convicted terrorist
‘Jihad Jane’: Galway Review
Intriguing documentary about self-styled white American jihadi Colleen LaRose
Jihad Jane review – Compelling portrait of digital extremism
Ciarán Cassidy’s engrossing documentary examines the making of an unlikely terror cell.