Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Surviving Ohio State

Play trailer 1:39 Poster for Surviving Ohio State 2025 1h 48m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Eva Orner delves into the sexual abuse scandal surrounding athletics doctor Richard Strauss, whose two-decade tenure at The Ohio State University saw the abuse of hundreds of students, and the ongoing quest for justice and accountability by his survivors.
Watch on HBO Max Stream Now

Where to Watch

Surviving Ohio State

Critics Reviews

View More
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune Jun 16
3/4
“Surviving Ohio State” is upsetting and devastating, but also deeply sad because — as is common in similar cases — the film presents claims that those in positions of power looked the other way or tried to bury concerns when they were raised. Go to Full Review
Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter Jun 11
It may not be as sensational and buzzy as bringing down a major university or a sitting congressman, but since Surviving Ohio State won’t do either thing, it’s worth praising the potency of what it does well. Go to Full Review
Marissa Hill Shade Studios Jul 30
Surviving Ohio State is more than a documentary; it’s a reckoning. It forces us to confront brutal truths about power, trust, and the cost of silence. Go to Full Review
Carla Hay Culture Mix Jul 7
Surviving Ohio State (about Ohio State University's responsibilities in an employee's longtime sexual abuse of students) makes a clear and convincing case that enabling and covering up crimes are just as heinous as the crimes themselves. Go to Full Review
Scott Hines Decider Jun 29
Surviving Ohio State isn’t an easy film to watch, but it’s an important one, and it handles the task of investigating a difficult topic respectfully and thoroughly. Go to Full Review
Robert W. Butler Butler's Cinema Scene Jun 27
B
Eva Orner’s documentary, about the sexual abuse scandal that wracked a powerhouse Midwestern University, does an admirable job of telling a big story that most of us have received only in bits and pieces over the better part of three decades. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Julie G Dec 9 Watching this documentary is an absolutely infuriating experience - as it should be - of witnessing relentlessly disgusting and cowardly human behavior. I hope these men get justice and that the parties that have done wrong find the peace that comes with honesty and accountability. My stomach turned watching one after another shameful act - the evil deeds of Dr. Strauss, the cowardice of Jim Jordan, the betrayal of silence by Russ Hellickson, the disgusting complicity of Ohio State, the committed idiocy of the uninformed on social media. It’s an indictment of us all. I hope everyone sees this documentary - that all students, alumni, parents, teachers at OSU write letters saying, if you don’t do the right thing, we are done with you. OSU needs to feel it in their reputation and pocketbook. I have no OSU affiliation, but I’ll write one. OSU needs to take responsibility for their abject failure in their prime duty - take care of young folks. Do the right thing, OSU. And do it now. See more Scott R @ScottR Oct 5 A painful watch, but an important story telling the bizarre harassment at OSU. I also saw it to see Jim Jordan's perspective since I had worked with him on some federal issues. Saw on HBO. See more stephen b Aug 31 While it's an important topic you can't just splice together snippets of interviews and call it a documentary. This was Vice TV level quality for an issue that carried so much weight. See more Lynsey M Aug 12 A documentary that everyone should watch. I was seething with anger by the end. These poor men, lives forever affected by an evil predator. But the real villains are perhaps even worse. Very well done! See more Jace T @CineChamber Aug 11 Wow. What an absolutely devastating and horrifying story told by people who have no reason to tell it other than seeking accountability and justice. This documentary is very well crafted, and the stories told here are powerful. It absolute astounds me that large organization like this, and people in positions of power can hide truths of "open secrets" like these allegations again Richard Strauss. I truly hope this documentary helps move this case forward, and the victims and survivors of this situation can find peace and justice. I will always call to hold accountability to power. The Ohio State University, Russ Hellickson, and congressman Jim Jordan deserve to have the walls of truth come crashing down around them. See more Marc L. @marcslove Jul 1 A devastating story about the powerful heads of Ohio State’s legendary athletic program and how they turned a blind eye to mass sexual assault of their athletes just to avoid bad headlines and the disruption of their power and success. A harsh indictment of Congressman Jim Jordan, who clearly knew it was happening but who prioritized his own aspirations for power over protecting Ohio State students from sexual assault. See more Read all reviews
Surviving Ohio State

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis Academy Award-winning filmmaker Eva Orner delves into the sexual abuse scandal surrounding athletics doctor Richard Strauss, whose two-decade tenure at The Ohio State University saw the abuse of hundreds of students, and the ongoing quest for justice and accountability by his survivors.
Director
Eva Orner
Producer
David Glasser, George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Eva Orner
Distributor
HBO Max
Production Co
HBO Sports Documentaries, 101/Sports Illustrated Studios, Smokehouse Pictures
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 17, 2025
Runtime
1h 48m
Most Popular at Home Now