Icarus

Name: Icarus
Genre: Sport, Thriller, Documentary
Released: August 4, 2017
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Bryan Fogel, Grigory Rodchenkov, Nikita Kamaev

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

See All

7.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.3	Your Score
7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 66 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: August 4, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Bryan Fogel, Grigory Rodchenkov, Nikita Kamaev

Summary: When Bryan Fogel sets out to uncover the truth about doping in sports, a chance meeting with a Russian scientist transforms his story from a personal experiment into a geopolitical thriller involving dirty urine, unexplained death and Olympic Gold-exposing the biggest scandal in sports history.

Director: Bryan Fogel

Genre(s): Sport, Thriller, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 121 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Joshua Rothkopf

Aug 4, 2017

Fogel is a little out of his depth, but he has a killer tale to tell. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Aug 1, 2017

A real-life absurdist thriller that, in its electric coverage of one Russian scandal, can’t help but illuminate another ongoing one. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Mar 6, 2018

The entire film, a most worthwhile enterprise in itself, drags on and becomes more patience-testing than incendiary. Read full review

David D'Arcy

Jan 21, 2017

This film is proof that, with the right protagonist, a documentary seems to tell its own story. Rodchenkov is one of those characters who, as they say, you couldn’t make up. Read full review

Ken Jaworowski

Aug 3, 2017

Mr. Fogel could be considered either daring or foolhardy for his initial plan. But his work with Dr. Rodchenkov is levelheaded, and his documentary illuminating. Read full review

Robert Abele

Jan 21, 2017

Though the documentary’s early musings about athletic integrity in general are ultimately usurped by a tale of personal responsibility and nefarious global power, the disruption feels acute and essential. Read full review

Clayton Dillard

Jul 30, 2017

A routinely assembled mélange of provocative material consistently undone by its maker's perplexing need to foist himself into the center of every conversation. Read full review

SEE ALL 16 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

RobertZ

Jun 2, 2018

This documentary is like going to McDonalds and getting a burger with a side of filet mignon. The only bad is the title, although creative, may discourage wider audience. Although with Russian doping as the main premise this documentary is really about deception, manipulation and moralityThis documentary is like going to McDonalds and getting a burger with a side of filet mignon. The only bad is the title, although creative, may discourage wider audience. Although with Russian doping as the main premise this documentary is really about deception, manipulation and morality in general. It draws easy parallels with Orwell's 1984, which is a bit of a cliche, but surprisingly fitting.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ducman

Jan 20, 2018

I had big expectations for this. Was vey interesting, disturbing. One thing i regret is that the creator never fullfiled his initial goal, seeing if doping helps you to get really better, should make a part 2!

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

iCronic

Aug 12, 2017

The first half hour is a bit confusing but then it turns into a great Thriller with a comical russian scientist. One of the best documentaries of 2017

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Kaustav

Feb 5, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Icarus is a beautifully produced documentary. Kudos to Netflix and Bryan Fogel and his team for making that happen.
This is movie might not win the Oscar for the very obvious reason that it does not answer the crucial query of how dangerous and game-changing the act of doping can be in Athletics and similar sports that Fogel has set about to find. On top that of that, this is a telling of reality that that has no redemption or no real justice - The Bad Men will always get away with it, because they hold all the right reins, you see. Even still, stories like these must told every now and then so as to remind even a handful of people of the responsibility they should have to truth. Ignorance maybe Strength in some world but in your mind, only truth holds you slave irrespective of how you feel about it.
The story itself is very gripping tale that is narrated in visages of Fogel and Rodchenkov and parallels the analogy of an Orwellian society that has existed for so long that one cannot ever escape it without fatal consequences. It is a tale of people lying and cheating with straight faces and not a blink of doubt and regret in their eyes. It is a tale of horror of human cruelty and foulness while a tale of perseverance induced by hopelessness and knowledge you can't see anymore. This doc should be a shoe-in for the must-watch list of a lifetime.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MattKingsbury

Jun 25, 2020

Icarus is a very personal documentary that sheds light on the Russian doping scandal. While it slightly over-romantices the Doctor, and the first quarter of the movie feels disconnected from the rest, this is a definite must-watch for anyone interested in sport and its impact on the world.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

3ebfan511

Aug 15, 2017

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good, but not great, documentary. It's directed by a guy that rode bicycles and only directoral work before this was a movie that bombed with a 4.4 rating on IMDB in 2012. It is decently done, but...is nothing amazing either as a piece of art. The story is interesting though, and I did enjoy it. But it failed to really stir much emotion at the end. If these people could get away with doping that easily...than most likely many or at least some others are as well, and it diminished the impact of what they are therefore trying to show. If anything its an indictment on the culture of sport, and instead it tries to point fingers at Putin, Russia, or possibly even the IOC etc....in my opinion...missing the point. If Russia did not dope, there would still be doping, (it showed an American sprinter who tested positive for a few mere seconds, and did discuss Lance Armstrong briefly) so just blaming Russia, does not solve the problem, and does not even get at the true heart of the problem in my opinion. I enjoyed it nonetheless though and it is definitely worth watching for the most part.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

mpp

Mar 7, 2018

What a bad, bad documentary. Lot's of flaws, but 3 of the biggest: 1. A documentary meant to "shed light on an issue" of which most people are already aware, and which has been covered to death by the media, isn't very compelling. 2. The documentarian, if he isn't rock dumb, certainlyWhat a bad, bad documentary. Lot's of flaws, but 3 of the biggest: 1. A documentary meant to "shed light on an issue" of which most people are already aware, and which has been covered to death by the media, isn't very compelling. 2. The documentarian, if he isn't rock dumb, certainly comes across that way. He features himself in a lot of the film, but adds next to nothing. 3. Adding dramatic music to scenes with zero drama does not make them dramatic.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS