Watch Untold: Malice at the Palace

Untold: Malice at the Palace is a 2021 documentary film that tells the story of the infamous 2004 NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. The film is part of the Untold series of sports documentaries produced by Netflix, which aims to explore stories that did not receive much attention in the media or that have remained untold until now.

The documentary features many of the key players involved in the brawl, including Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, and Metta World Peace, who were all playing for the Indiana Pacers at the time. The film uses interviews with these players, as well as with coaches, journalists, and fans, to paint a picture of what happened on that fateful night in November 2004.

The documentary begins by setting the scene and explaining the context of the game. The Indiana Pacers were one of the best teams in the NBA that season, but they were facing a strong Detroit Pistons team in a regular-season game at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. The game was especially tense because the two teams had faced each other in the playoffs the previous year, and there was bad blood between them.

The film then moves on to show the incident itself: a fight broke out between players from the two teams following a hard foul by Indiana's Ron Artest on Detroit's Ben Wallace. The brawl quickly escalated and spilled into the stands, where players began fighting with fans. The scene was chaotic, with players and fans throwing punches, chairs, and drinks.

The documentary then explores the aftermath of the brawl, which had far-reaching consequences for all involved. The players were suspended, fined, and had their reputations tarnished, while the NBA was criticized for its handling of the situation. The incident also had wider implications for how professional sports leagues in the United States manage player behavior and fan safety.

Throughout the film, Untold: Malice at the Palace balances interviews with dramatic reenactments and footage from the game and the brawl itself. The documentary is well-paced and engaging, keeping the viewer gripped as it unfolds the story of what happened and why.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the film is the interviews with the players themselves. Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson, and Metta World Peace are all candid and reflective about their roles in the brawl, and they express regret for what happened. They also offer their own perspectives on the incident, showing how different players viewed the events that unfolded and how they tried to make sense of it all.

Untold: Malice at the Palace is a fascinating look at an event that shook the NBA and sports world as a whole. The documentary provides a thorough and nuanced examination of the incident, showing not just what happened but also why it happened and what it meant. Fans of basketball, sports documentaries, or simply compelling stories will find plenty to enjoy in this film.

Untold: Malice at the Palace is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.