A dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
Acting
Will Smith's Nigerian accent commitment and quiet moral fury.
Direction
Landesman treats medical autopsy like crime scene tension.
Writing
The 'they have to know' speech — devastatingly simple.
Director
Peter Landesman
Will Smith
Dr. Bennet Omalu
Alec Baldwin
Dr. Julian Bailes
Albert Brooks
Dr. Cyril Wecht
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Prema Mutiso
David Morse
Mike Webster
Arliss Howard
Dr. Joseph Maroon
Mike O'Malley
Daniel Sullivan
Eddie Marsan
Dr. Steven DeKosky
Hill Harper
Christopher Jones
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
Dave Duerson
Stephen Moyer
Dr. Ron Hamilton
Richard T. Jones
Andre Waters
Paul Reiser
Dr. Elliot Pellman
Luke Wilson
Roger Goodell
Matthew Willig
Justin Strzelczyk
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The NFL refused to cooperate with production; all team logos were recreated or avoided. Commissioner Goodell's character appears but is never named directly.
Released during peak CTE litigation (2015-2016), this film arguably accelerated the NFL's $1 billion concussion settlement timeline. Art imitating lawsuit.
US
