The Program (2015)

The Program (2015) — Biography / Drama / Sport Overview: The Program dramatizes the real-life hunt to expose one of the biggest scandals in modern sport: Lance Armstrong’s systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs. Centered on Irish sports journalist David Walsh (Chris O’Dowd) and his solitary, increasingly obsessive investigation, the film follows his efforts to gather proof and persuade a skeptical sporting world that Armstrong (Ben Foster) — a charismatic, invincible champion and cancer survivor — built his Tour de France legacy on cheating. Directed by Stephen Frears, the movie plays out as a tense, methodical cat-and-mouse between truth-seeker and celebrated icon. What you’ll experience: - A lean, investigative drama that feels part newsroom procedural, part sports thriller: expect interview scenes, shadowy meetings, depositions and moments inside the peloton that show the physical and psychological extremes of professional cycling. - Strong, focused performances that make the moral stakes personal: Foster’s volatile, charismatic Armstrong contrasts with O’Dowd’s stubborn, underdog journalist, giving the story a human face rather than a simple scandal exposé. - A steady build of suspense rather than explosive action — the film relies on accumulation of evidence, moral tension and the slow erosion of a legend. You’ll feel the frustration of chasing leads, the ethical dilemmas of whistleblowing, and the cultural force of celebrity protection. - Sharp themes about truth versus reputation, institutional complicity, and the cost of pursuing what’s right when everyone else looks the other way. If you enjoy true-story dramas about investigative journalism, sports, and the complexities behind public heroes, The Program delivers a thoughtful, character-driven look at how one reporter’s persistence can topple a myth.

Actors: Ben Foster, Chris O'Dowd, Guillaume Canet

Director: Stephen Frears

Runtime: 99 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

5.9 /10 53 /100 6.5 /10 5.9 /10