Head Games

This documentary follows Chris Nowinski, a former wrestler and football player, as he works to bring public attention to research regarding brain concussions. The film examines the severe long-term effects of these head injuries in contact sports, which were historically dismissed as minor issues or ignored to prioritize team loyalty and athletic toughness.

Directed by Steve James, the film was released in 2012. Within the director's filmography, it follows Hoop Dreams and Prefontaine and precedes Life Itself. The production was handled by Head Games the Film and produced by Bruce Sheridan and Steve James. The cast features various individuals appearing as themselves, including Christopher Nowinski, Alan Schwarz, Keith Primeau, Robert Cantu, MD, Ann McKee, and Isaiah Kacyvenski.

The film has a runtime of 96 minutes and was produced in the United States. It has received generally positive feedback from viewers and professionals. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 7.4/10 based on 379 votes, while film critics gave it a slightly lower score of 7.3/10 across 34 reviews.