The Game Changers

The Game Changers is a documentary that examines the relationship between nutrition, health, and physical performance. James Wilks, a mixed martial arts fighter and special forces trainer, travels globally to research the effectiveness of plant-based diets. Along with scientists and various elite athletes, he explores how avoiding animal products can impact strength and recovery, challenging common beliefs about the necessity of meat for protein. The film features perspectives from diverse figures, including cultural icons and special operations soldiers, as they seek to change traditional approaches to eating and living.

Directed by Louie Psihoyos, the film was released in 2019. It is the second in a series of documentaries by Psihoyos, following The Cove and preceding You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment and The Plastic Detox. The cast includes appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrik Baboumian, Scott Jurek, Dotsie Bausch, and Tia Blanco, with Wilks providing the narration. Produced by Diamond Docs, Oceanic Preservation Society, and ReFuel Productions, the project involved a credited crew of 57 people. The film has received generally positive feedback from viewers, holding a 7.8 rating on IMDb from 23,000 votes and a 7.3 rating on TMDB from 350 votes. This audience reception is higher than the score from film critics, who gave the movie a 6.6 rating based on 9 reviews.