The Crash Reel

The Crash Reel

The mind has mountains

Directed by Lucy Walker

Produced by Tree Tree Tree Productions, HBO Documentary Films

2013108 min7.3 / 10

An intimate documentary about resilience and recovery that follows a snowboarder's struggle to reclaim his life and identity after a devastating brain injury.

The Crash Reel tells the story of a sport and the risks that athletes face in reaching the pinnacle of their profession. This is Kevin Pearce’s story, a celebrated snowboarder who sustained a brain injury in a trick gone wrong and who now aims, against all the odds, to get back on the snow.

Questions people ask

  • Does The Crash Reel end with hope? Yes, very. More hopeful than 90% of films.

  • Is The Crash Reel scary? Barely. Less frightening than 76% of films.

  • Is The Crash Reel sad? Somewhat. More sad than 70% of films.

  • Is The Crash Reel easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 67% of films.

  • Is The Crash Reel violent? Not especially. Less violent than 64% 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.

55/ 100

Cinnamon Score

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

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity51

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise37

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love80

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The Crash Reel

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Crash Reel

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Crash Reel, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Crash Reel, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Crash Reel, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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