Chasing Niagara

Chasing Niagara

Directed by Rush Sturges

201677 min7.0 / 10

An exhilarating documentary following a tight-knit team of kayakers on a three-year quest to achieve an audacious feat, balancing personal ambition with camaraderie and natural spectacle.

When pro kayaker Rafa Ortiz makes the decision to paddle over Niagara Falls, he sets in motion an incredible series of events that eventually takes on a life of its own. To prepare for this mission, Rafa enlists the help of world-renowned paddler Rush Sturges and a tight team of their friends. Together they go on a remarkable three-year journey from the rainforest rivers of Mexico to the towering waterfalls of the U.S. Northwest. Their journey concludes in Canada where the team plays a cat-and-mouse game with local police before Rafa's mission comes to a heart-stopping climax at the iconic Falls.

Questions people ask

  • Is Chasing Niagara violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Does Chasing Niagara end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 90% of films.

  • Is Chasing Niagara sad? Barely. Less sad than 89% of films.

  • Is Chasing Niagara easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 67% of films.

  • Is Chasing Niagara scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 58% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

64/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity87

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise39

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love70

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Chasing Niagara

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Chasing Niagara

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Chasing Niagara, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Chasing Niagara, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Chasing Niagara, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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