why are americans so divided, and what can we do about it?

America is fracturing before our eyes. Political division isn’t just an issue—it’s a crisis, tearing apart families, friendships, and the very fabric of our democracy. Today, Democrats and Republicans don’t just disagree; they see each other as enemies. 

The What:

Conversations across party lines are dwindling, replaced by misinformation, assumptions, and outright hostility. The result? A nation that no longer knows how to disagree without hatred, how to debate without destruction. If we continue down this path, our democracy—built on compromise and dialogue—will collapse under the weight of our own division. The question isn’t whether we’re divided. The question is: how can we stop it before it’s too late?

That’s why The Space Between cannot wait. This documentary doesn’t just analyze the problem—it forces us to face it. Through raw, unfiltered conversations with real Americans and experts and a fearless deep dive into the roots of our division, this film is a wake-up call. It challenges us to recognize our own biases, to question the forces driving us apart, and to take action before we lose the ability to bridge the gap.

But awareness alone isn’t enough—we need to get this message in front of as many people as possible. The divide is growing. Time is running out. The only question left is—will you help stop it?

From award-winning writer and director/producer Emily Arndt comes The Space Between. Emily Arndt learns what’s causing political division in America and what all Americans must do to save our democracy.

The How:

Filmed over four years, The Space Between is a political documentary made by community, for community. With help from growing cinematographers across the country, and community members who want this film to be made, we are building a movement for Americans to find common ground, question the political system around us, and self-reflect.

The Where:

The film features stories and insights from Americans interviewed along the East Coast.

The Who:

In this political documentary we hear from people in a focus group in York, PA, on the streets of Washington, DC as passersby, and in individual interviews with four Americans who could be your neighbor: Steward, Molly, Ilsy, and Ryan. Their voices—paired with expert analysis from figures like political psychologist Lilliana Mason, media bias expert Julie Mastrine, political scientist David Barker, and Congressional scholar James Wallner—expose the root causes of our national dysfunction: social media and mainstream media manipulation, legislative gridlock, tribal instincts in humans, and deep-seated systemic inequities.