Mastering classic pinball arcade games requires focus, agility and dedication. Robert Gagno has all these traits. It might explain why he surged from a complete unknown to one of the world's best players in five years. The achievement is even more impressive considering he was diagnosed with autism at age three. His success on the pinball circuit made him part of a community that provided acceptance and encouragement. With his parents' support and determination, Robert has exceeded every expectation placed upon him. As he approaches adulthood, his next challenge is to become more self-sufficient and gain his independence. From high-stakes tournaments across the continent to his day-to-day search for employment, we follow Robert's persistent progression to overcome obstacles and manage the highs of success and lows of falling short. In Wizard Mode, flashing lights and triple combos highlight an outstanding individual who continues to beat the odds and set records.
Cinematography
Those close-up ball-tracking shots are genuinely hypnotic
Editing
Clever parallel between gameplay flow state and Robert's focus
Direction
Directors stepped back, let Robert's humor and agency shine
Director
Jeff Petry
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Robert became the first openly autistic pinball world champion in 2016, same year as the film's release—this doc essentially captures a historic moment in real-time.
The 'wizard mode' title refers to a hidden pinball stage unlocked only after completing every other objective—Robert's life metaphor wasn't subtle, but it earned it.
US
CA
