With the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaching, a new three-part docuseries titled *9/11 Reunited* revisits the experiences of survivors from that day. Produced by National Geographic in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the series is also available on Disney+. Directed by Julian Jones, who previously worked on *9/11: One Day in America* (2021), the series aims to engage a younger generation increasingly unfamiliar with the events, particularly those under 30.

*9/11 Reunited* focuses on the attacks targeting the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The series incorporates archival footage from news broadcasts and mobile phones with personal testimonies, structuring its narrative by time zones to provide a chronological depiction of the tragedy. A distinguishing feature of the program is its emphasis on reconnecting survivors with the individuals who helped save them, sometimes facilitating reunions more than two decades after the attacks.

One such reunion features John Paczkowski and George Phoenix, who were trapped in an elevator in the North Tower. They were rescued minutes before the building’s collapse by Jan Demczur, a window cleaner who improvised a tool from his squeegee to break through drywall and enable their escape. The encounter is marked by quiet, heartfelt gestures as Paczkowski and Phoenix express their gratitude to Demczur.

Another story centers on Debbie St John, a survivor injured by debris from the plane strike that left her with severe wounds. Stefan Horlacher, who ensured she received emergency care, later met St John, who now uses a wheelchair but has regained some mobility, including horseback riding. She tells Horlacher, “I just want you to be proud of me.”

The series also highlights other acts of rescue, including an army lieutenant colonel who guided fellow personnel towards a Pentagon window before being saved by a Navy SEAL commander, a firefighter protected by a paramedic, and a policeman extracted from rubble after more than 20 hours. The emergency services collectively saved over 20,000 people during the attacks.

While the personal narratives are powerful and moving, the series does not provide background or context regarding the geopolitical factors behind the attacks. This omission has drawn some criticism for limiting the series’ depth and overall understanding of the events. Additionally, the program frequently employs emotive music to underscore survivor reunions and recollections, which some viewers may find unnecessary given the compelling nature of the stories themselves.

Overall, *9/11 Reunited* offers a human-centered retelling of the tragedy, focusing on survival and the enduring connections forged in the aftermath.