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Documentary

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (2022): Ratings & Plot

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (2022) movie poster

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing is a 2022 documentary directed by Rory Kennedy. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
73
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Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Rory Kennedy
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Downfall: The Case Against Boeing About?

The premise of Downfall: The Case Against Boeing without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This documentary examines the events surrounding two tragic accidents involving Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, exploring the factors that led to the disasters and the aftermath for the victims’ families. It investigates the design flaws, corporate decisions, and regulatory oversight that contributed to the crashes, raising critical questions about accountability and the safety of modern aviation.

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • air safety
  • air disaster
  • airliner
  • failure
  • panic
  • airplanes
  • aviation
  • aviation accident
  • investigation
  • crash
  • year 2019
  • year 2020
+38 more
  • journalist
  • boeing
  • plane
  • tragedy
  • cutting corners
  • profit motive
  • federal aviation administration
  • regulatory capture
  • grounding the fleet
  • blaming the victim
  • corporate lobbying
  • deflection
  • corporate cover up
  • design flaw
  • airplane crash
  • aerospace engineer
  • aerospace technology
  • aeronautical engineering
  • boeing 737 max
  • aerospace industry
  • corporate culture
  • referemce to harry stonecipher
  • corporate conglomeration
  • mcdonnell douglas
  • financialization
  • reference to wall street
  • corporate merger
  • year 1996
  • year 2001
  • corporate rivalry
  • corporate malfeasance
  • cutting cost
  • shoddy work
  • company whistleblower
  • unfair dismissal
  • congressional investigation
  • cover up
  • airbus
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Crew

The Director of Downfall: The Case Against Boeing

Directed by Rory Kennedy.

From the director

More from Rory Kennedy

More films directed by Rory Kennedy, best-rated first: Last Days in Vietnam, Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton, Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing and Queen of Chess.

Full filmography
Ratings

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Downfall: The Case Against Boeing 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in sensory experience (62).

73 /100

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Echo Score Breakdown

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing presents a clear, fact‑driven indictment of Boeing’s profit‑first culture, coupling technical detail with emotionally resonant testimonies. Critics note its swift pacing and academic precision, while users praise its heartbreaking impact and informative depth. Some reviewers criticize its reliance on talking‑head interviews and limited cinematic flair, but the consensus is that the film succeeds in exposing systemic failures without sacrificing clarity. Overall, the documentary is judged solidly effective and emotionally powerful.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    The documentary’s art and craft are competent but unremarkable. Critics commend its swift, clear editing and occasional visual potency, yet label it an average talking‑head format with limited cinematic ambition. Viewers acknowledge balanced editing but point out low‑budget CGI and conventional visual style. Consequently, the film achieves functional craftsmanship without notable artistic distinction.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    Character and emotional resonance are the film’s strongest assets. Critics highlight the power of parent and widower testimonies, and users describe the narrative as heartbreaking and deeply moving. While the documentary format limits character development, the emotional testimonies provide nuanced human context. This blend of personal stories and factual reporting yields a compelling emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The story’s structure is clear and purposeful, delivering a solid indictment of corporate greed. Critics mention its swift pacing and logical flow, though some find it conventional and lacking narrative innovation. Users note occasional confusing passages but appreciate the overall coherence. The film maintains a measured pace that supports its investigative aims without becoming overly complex.

  • Sensory Experience 62

    Sensory elements are functional yet modest. Reviewers praise clear visual presentation but criticize the reliance on talking‑head shots and subpar CGI recreations. Sound design and music are not prominently highlighted, resulting in a restrained auditory experience. The documentary’s sensory design serves the informational content but does not elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Rewatch value is moderate, anchored by its emotional impact and informative content. Critics find the film effective and enraging, encouraging repeat viewings for its factual depth. Users describe it as emotionally resonant yet not exhausting, suggesting it can be revisited for insight. While the documentary’s style may limit long‑term novelty, its substantive material sustains interest on subsequent viewings.

Plot

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Plot Summary

What happens in Downfall: The Case Against Boeing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film delves into the devastating incidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX in 2019, which led to the tragic crashes of two airliners and the loss of 346 lives. At the core of the narrative is a critical examination of whether Boeing prioritized financial profits over the safety of its passengers and the company’s longstanding reputation for quality and safety.

As Kennedy articulated about Boeing’s journey into the 21st century, > “There were many decades when Boeing did extraordinary things by focusing on excellence and safety and ingenuity. Those three virtues were seen as the key to profit.” However, this focus began to shift when the company was taken over by leaders who viewed Wall Street as the ultimate objective, rather than balancing profit with public welfare.

Full summary

The whole story of Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Awards & Nominations

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing was nominated for 1 Oscar.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Official Trailer
  • Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Downfall: The Case Against Boeing?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What tragic event is central to the film's narrative?

Details

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “Untitled Boeing 737 Max/Rory Kennedy Project” and “السقوط المدوّي: قضية ضد بوينغ”.

Also known as
  • Untitled Boeing 737 Max/Rory Kennedy Project
  • السقوط المدوّي: قضية ضد بوينغ
  • Düşüş: Boeing Davası
  • Caída en picado: El caso contra Boeing
  • 다운폴: 더 보잉 케이스
  • Upadek: Sprawa Boeinga
  • Fallet: Hva skjedde med Boeing?
  • Descenso: El caso contra Boeing
  • 地に落ちた信頼: ボーイング737MAX墜落事故
  • Downfall: il caso Boeing
  • Η Πτώση: Η Υπόθεση της Boeing
  • Absturz: Der Fall gegen Boeing
+15 more
  • Downfall: L'affaire Boeing
  • Chute libre: L'affaire Boeing
  • Queda Livre: A Tragédia do Caso Boeing
  • Zuhanás: A Boeing-ügy
  • Downfall : L'affaire Boeing
  • Boeingov pad
  • קריסה: מה קרה לבואינג?
  • 一落千丈:波音大调查
  • 墜:波音大調查
  • Pád: Kauza Boeing
  • Крушение: дело против Boeing
  • Прокляття Боїнга 737
  • 地に落ちた信頼- ボーイング737MAX墜落事故
  • Prăbușirea: Cazul împotriva Boeing
  • 一落千丈:波音大調查

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FAQ

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing FAQ: Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Downfall: The Case Against Boeing?

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Downfall: The Case Against Boeing released?

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing was released on February 18, 2022.

Who directed Downfall: The Case Against Boeing?

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing was directed by Rory Kennedy.

More films by Rory Kennedy

How is Downfall: The Case Against Boeing rated?

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was Downfall: The Case Against Boeing nominated for any awards?

Downfall: The Case Against Boeing received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Downfall: The Case Against Boeing have a post-credit scene?

No. Downfall: The Case Against Boeing has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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