Head Games

PG-13

Released Sep 21, 2012

1h 31m

Documentary

List

88%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

77%

Audience Score

250+ Ratings

Bob Costas, Christopher Nowinski and Cindy Parlow Cone are among those interviewed in a look at the issue of concussions in sports.

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Adam Nayman

The Grid

Its steady, methodical style, however, does justice to its overall aim, which is to touch a nerve that has been desensitized by the media's valorization of athletes as tough guys.

Rated: 7/10

Oct 3, 2012

Full Review

Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

It's solid and interesting work in the main, but Head Games can't help but feel like a come-down after The Interrupters.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 28, 2012

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

HollywoodChicago.com

I have two young boys, and when they express interest in playing sports, it will be impossible not to remember what I learned from this film.

Rated: 3.5/5.0

Sep 28, 2012

Full Review

Mark Pfeiffer

Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

The film struggles with the contradiction of knowing the serious risks while enjoying the games as participant and spectator.

Rated: B

Feb 4, 2013

Full Review

Christopher Long

Movie Metropolis

The film paints a dire picture that will strike fear into the hearts of many parents. How many concussions are too many? The documentary suggests the magic number might be one.

Rated: 7/10

Dec 13, 2012

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

A bit more palatable than most "let me teach you a lesson"-style non-fiction films.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 16, 2012

Full Review

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Audience Member

From someone who thinks team sports are boring: This is a really interesting look at head injuries in sports. The overwhelming evidence is that they are a much bigger problem than is admitted, even with the NFL actively talking about it and donating to concussion research. There's a culture that encourages athletes to 'just shake it off' if they can stand and play; but it turns out that even seemingly-minor injuries can be really dangerous for a lot of people, especially kids. They try to explore the line between keeping people safe and keeping people too safe.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After watching Head Games I was amazed at how many players just thought it was nothing when they got hit, and got right back in the game. After suffering 2 major ones as a 15 year old soccer keeper I realize how serious it is and want other people to be aware as well. To me this was a very important film and I think anyone who play a contact/competitive sport should watch this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well, no more contact sports , you guys. Chris Nowinski (Chris Harvard to some WWE fans) paints a dire picture of athletic endeavours in America. This doesn't take into account the NFL's $765m settlement over head injuries, or how critics of the NHL have said despite all the changes they've made, no affect has been made in regressing concussive incidents. I mean, they could ban fighting, but that's no fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A little disjointed at parts, but very informative and the stories & questions posed are quite engaging.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tout le monde devrait voir ce film pour comprendre le fléau des commotions cérébrales dans le sport

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As someone with a chronic neurologic disorder that causes constant headaches, it was hard to watch some of these kids and parents justify the risk of suffering lifelong brain damage to continue playing sports. I love hockey, and sports in general, but it's sobering and in some ways encouraging to see science catching up to what most should intuitively know. repeatedly hitting your head has consequences...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

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Steve James

Director

John Cronin

Executive Producer

Frank Murane

Executive Producer

Hank Neuberger

Executive Producer

Jim O'Donovan

Executive Producer

Anthony Athanas

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Bob Costas, Christopher Nowinski and Cindy Parlow Cone are among those interviewed in a look at the issue of concussions in sports.

Director: Steve James
Distributor: Variance Films
Production Co: Head Games the Film
Rating: PG-13 (Sports Violence/Injuries|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $11.2K
Runtime: 1h 31m

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