Bigger Stronger Faster*
A candid family-centered investigation into steroids, bodybuilding, masculinity, and America's relentless pursuit of superhuman achievement.
Overview
A thought-provoking exploration of America's obsession with winning at all costs.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- informative
- introspective
- candid
- fitness viewing
- sports documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a fascinating, informative, entertaining, and introspective examination of American enhancement culture grounded in facts and multiple perspectives.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film connects American exceptionalism and the pursuit of being biggest, strongest, and fastest to steroid use and self-definition.
Chris Bell investigates his brothers' bodybuilding and steroid use alongside broader expectations of male strength and achievement.
The film considers steroid use from athletes, family members, experts, and public perspectives while neither defending nor simply condemning it.
Chris Bell uses the experiences of brothers Mike and Mark as the entry point for examining America's steroid subculture.
Films like Bigger Stronger Faster*, and why
The Imposter
introspective documentary examination of American ideals, masculinity, and achievement culture
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
investigative documentary approach to institutions, incentives, and public controversy
Pumping Iron
sports documentary focused on competition, physical performance, and the pressures surrounding success
Super Size Me
fact-driven documentary inquiry into a controversial American subculture and its consequences
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Bell
- Release Date
- 2008-05-30
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (139)
Cast
- Chris Bell
- Mike Bell
- Mark Bell
- Joe Biden
- Ronald Reagan
- Al Gore
- Dick Cheney
- Laura Bush
- George W. Bush
- George H. W. Bush
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Bigger Stronger Faster* about?
- A candid family-centered investigation into steroids, bodybuilding, masculinity, and America's relentless pursuit of superhuman achievement.
- What is Bigger Stronger Faster* like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bigger Stronger Faster* as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Bigger Stronger Faster* violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Bigger Stronger Faster*.
- What did critics think of Bigger Stronger Faster*?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a fascinating, informative, entertaining, and introspective examination of American enhancement culture grounded in facts and multiple perspectives.
- Which films are like Bigger Stronger Faster*?
- Films with a similar feel include The Imposter, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Pumping Iron, and Super Size Me.
- How long is Bigger Stronger Faster*?
- Bigger Stronger Faster* runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bigger Stronger Faster*?
- In United States, Bigger Stronger Faster* streams on Dox Amazon Channel, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
