Larry Nassar: Survivors in Their Own Words is an emotional and harrowing documentary film that tells the story of the brave women who came forward to expose the horrific abuse they suffered at the hands of former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Erin Lee Carr, this 92-minute film features interviews with dozens of survivors, as well as investigative journalists and lawyers who helped uncover the truth about Nassar's crimes.
The film is anchored by Jesse Weber, a legal analyst and host of the Law and Crime Network, who provides context and insight into the legal proceedings that followed Nassar's abuse. Weber's commentary is interspersed with interviews and testimonies from the survivors themselves, who recount their experiences in heartbreaking and vivid detail. Over the course of the film, we hear from more than a dozen women who were abused by Nassar, including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber.
The film begins by introducing us to the survivors, many of whom were young gymnasts at the time of their abuse. We learn about their dreams of making it to the Olympics, their love of gymnastics, and the trust they placed in Nassar as their doctor. Then, slowly but surely, we hear about the abuse. We hear about how Nassar would use his ungloved hands to penetrate the women's genitals during supposed "medical treatments." We hear about how he would use his position of authority to manipulate and gaslight his victims, convincing them that what he was doing was normal and necessary.
The survivors speak candidly about the shame and self-doubt they felt in the aftermath of the abuse. Some struggled with eating disorders, others with depression and anxiety. But despite the trauma they endured, they never lost their fighting spirit. As the film progresses, we see how they gradually found the courage to speak out against Nassar, despite the odds stacked against them.
One of the most powerful aspects of Larry Nassar: Survivors in Their Own Words is the way it shows the ripple effects of Nassar's abuse. We hear from parents who blame themselves for entrusting their daughters to Nassar's care. We hear from coaches who feel guilty for not speaking up sooner. We hear from friends who didn't believe the survivors until it was too late. It's a portrait of a whole community grappling with the legacy of trauma.
Through it all, the film never loses sight of the larger societal and institutional failures that enabled Nassar's abuse. We hear about the ways in which USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University ignored or covered up complaints against Nassar for years. We hear about the way he was able to get away with his crimes under the guise of "medical treatment." And we hear about the ways in which misogyny and patriarchal power structures played a role in allowing Nassar to continue his abuse unchecked.
While the subject matter of Larry Nassar: Survivors in Their Own Words is undeniably heavy, the film is also a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The women who share their stories are survivors in the truest sense of the word, and their bravery in speaking out against their abuser is nothing short of heroic. As the closing credits roll, viewers are left with a renewed sense of outrage at the injustice of Nassar's crimes, but also a sense of hope that speaking truth to power can effect change.
In short, Larry Nassar: Survivors in Their Own Words is a must-watch documentary for anyone interested in the power of survivor testimony to effect social change. It's a vivid and stirring portrait of some of the most courageous women in America today, and a vital reminder of the work we still have to do to ensure that abuses like Nassar's never happen again.
Larry Nassar: Survivors in Their Own Words is a 2018 crime movie with a runtime of 9 minutes.
