Our take
The Crash is a TV-MA true-crime documentary about a Ohio teen whose car crash killed her boyfriend and friend, sparking a murder trial. Expect frequent f-word dialogue in texts and interviews, extensive marijuana and mushroom discussion, drunk-driving questions, cyberbullying excerpts, suicide taunts, and raw grief from bereaved families. Driving-under-the-influence themes run throughout. Mature teens with adult guidance only
Uplifting themes
Victim families advocate for accountability amid painful conflict Grieving parents show persistence; teen behavior is mixed at best
Story (may spoil tone)
A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Fatal crash and murder trial; violence is discussed more than shown
Fatal crash and murder trial; violence is discussed more than shown
Language Frequent f-word, b-word, and s-word in texts, interviews, and social cl…
Frequent f-word, b-word, and s-word in texts, interviews, and social clips
Sex / nudity Teen crush, flirt, and kiss references in social media; no nudity
Teen crush, flirt, and kiss references in social media; no nudity
Drugs / alcohol Weed, mushrooms, THC blood tests, and drunk-driving questions dominate
Weed, mushrooms, THC blood tests, and drunk-driving questions dominate
Frightening Nightmare crash framing and trial dread may upset sensitive viewers
Nightmare crash framing and trial dread may upset sensitive viewers
Self-harm / suicide Cyberbullying suicide taunts and trial debate over suicidal intent
Cyberbullying suicide taunts and trial debate over suicidal intent
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse Teen drivers die in a crash; the case centers on young lives lost
Teen drivers die in a crash; the case centers on young lives lost
Bullying / discrimination Expect strong language in testimony, including School bullying and hars…
Expect strong language in testimony, including School bullying and harsh online insults
Gore / death / weapons Deaths and blood testing discussed; crash gore stays off-screen
Deaths and blood testing discussed; crash gore stays off-screen
Dangerous behaviour Marijuana-and-driving videos and reckless teen driving are central evid…
Marijuana-and-driving videos and reckless teen driving are central evidence
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health Grief, public shaming, and trial stress weigh on families
Grief, public shaming, and trial stress weigh on families
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement Bereaved parents and mourning debates anchor the documentary
Bereaved parents and mourning debates anchor the documentary
Talk after watching
- Families disagree about whether the crash was accident or murder. What evidence changed minds?
- Marijuana use and driving come up repeatedly. How does the film frame impaired-driving risk?