Athlete A (2020)

Athlete A is a hard‑hitting documentary that follows the Indianapolis Star reporters who uncovered the decades‑long sexual abuse perpetrated by USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and the systemic failures that allowed it to continue. Through on‑camera interviews with survivors — including gymnasts like Maggie Nichols — investigative journalists, lawyers and archival footage, the film pieces together how the abuse was hidden, how institutions prioritized reputation over safety, and how courageous reporting helped bring a predator to justice. Watching Athlete A, you’ll experience a mix of investigative reporting and intimate survivor testimony. The film alternates between newsroom scenes that show the painstaking work of tracking records and breaking a story, and raw, emotional interviews in which survivors recount what happened and how they sought accountability. Archival video of training and competition juxtaposed with personal recollections underscores the betrayal of trust at the heart of the scandal. The documentary also examines institutional responses — and nonresponses — from USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and law enforcement, exposing systemic problems beyond a single perpetrator. Expect the film to be upsetting and powerful: it confronts sexual abuse and its long‑term effects candidly, but also highlights resilience, solidarity among survivors, and the impact of persistent investigative journalism. The tone is urgent and sober rather than sensational; viewers will come away informed about the facts of the case, the mechanisms that allowed abuse to persist, and the broader cultural and policy questions that remain. Recommended for viewers interested in true‑crime investigations, journalism that sparks systemic change, and sports‑related scandals. Content warning: explicit discussion of sexual abuse and trauma; viewer discretion advised.

Actors: Maggie Nichols, Gina Nichols, John Nichols

Directors: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk

Runtime: 103 min

Genres: Crime, Documentary, Sport

6.7 /10 85 /100 7.6 /10 7.6 /10