Although the film does not open until the year 2018, Knock Down the House really begins with the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in 2016. With little experience in politics, Trump quickly won the Republican nomination and won the election thanks to the Electoral College. This "upset" intrigued director Rachel Lears, who wanted to find out more stories from people that were running for important political positions but did not have much experience in politics.
The documentary begins with the three unsuccessful female candidates for positions in the House of Representatives. All of the candidates are progressive Democrats, as the documentary is aimed at people upset with Trump's victory to give them hope.
The first candidate is Amy Vilela, who is portrayed in the film as a youthful liberal with high ideals for the healthcare system. Running in her home state of Nevada, Vilela states in the film that she lost her daughter because she did not have proof of insurance to show the hospital that she was at. Vilela has to live a very rough existence in the following years, requiring government assistance for basic needs like food.
Cori Bush and Paula Swearingen campaigned in Missouri and West Virginia, respectively. Both were influenced to join the political field by events happening that angered them; Bush witnessed the riot after Michael Brown's murder, and Swearingen was upset with the environmental impact of resource extraction in West Virginia.
The "climax" of the film is the reveal that the fourth woman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, actual won a seat in the House after campaigning New York. This reveal is meant to give viewers hope for a brighter future. Cortez is portrayed as the protagonist of the film, as the film closes on a high note.
