Watch Losers (2019)

Losers is a sports documentary series that debuted on Netflix in early 2019. Created by Mickey Duzyj and produced by Jocelyn Diaz and Eden Gaha, the show delves into the lives of various athletes who came up just short of achieving their ultimate goals in their respective sports.

The series is composed of eight episodes, each one featuring a different athlete and their story of defeat. Some of the athletes featured include Surya Bonaly, a French figure skater who was never able to win gold at the Olympics, Michael Bentt, a boxer who suffered a life-threatening injury in the ring, and Jean van de Velde, a golfer who experienced one of the most epic collapses in the history of the sport.

One of the strengths of Losers is the way it tells these athletes' stories. While the focus of each episode is on their failure, the show doesn't revel in their misfortunes or ignore their accomplishments. Rather, it presents a well-rounded portrait of who these people are and what they went through in their pursuit of greatness. We see their triumphs, their struggles, and their moments of introspection.

Another standout element of the series is its visual style. Each episode is visually distinct, with the animation and graphics used to tell the stories reflecting the sports and cultures that the athletes come from. For example, the episode about Surya Bonaly is animated in a style reminiscent of Japanese anime, reflecting her love of the artform. It's a visually impressive and effective way to tell these stories and keep them engaging.

The choice of athletes featured in Losers is also notable. While some of the more expected names are present (like boxer Michael Bentt), there are also some lesser-known figures whose stories are just as powerful. For example, the episode about Mauro Prosperi tells the harrowing tale of a marathon runner who got lost in the Sahara desert for nine days. It's a gripping story, and one that many viewers likely haven't heard before.

However, what really makes Losers work is the underlying thread that ties all of these stories together: the idea that failure can be a catalyst for growth and self-discovery. The show doesn't sugarcoat the disappointment and pain that these athletes felt, but it also shows how they were able to move past those low points and find meaning in their experiences. It's a message that's both inspiring and relatable, and one that feels particularly resonant in a culture that often idolizes winning at all costs.

Overall, Losers is a well-crafted and engaging sports documentary series that tells a diverse range of stories in a unique and visually distinctive way. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in failure, there can be triumph.

Losers (2019) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between March 1, 2019 and on Netflix