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Biographical documentary

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia (2023): Cast & Ratings

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia (2023) movie poster

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia is a 2023 biographical documentary directed by Salima Koroma, starring Taylor Lorenz, Sharon Carpenter and Eugene Byon. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
Echo Score
64
Metascore
63
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Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Salima Koroma
Original language
English
Studio
HBO Max
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia About?

The premise of Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia without spoilers.

This documentary explores the rapid rise and sudden fall of the popular trivia game app, HQ Trivia. It examines the factors that contributed to its viral success, showcasing a period of immense popularity and engagement. The film then details the events that led to its catastrophic collapse, revealing a cautionary story about ambition, financial excess, and the ephemeral nature of digital trends. It’s a compelling look at a pioneering app and the challenges of maintaining success in the fast-paced world of mobile entertainment.

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • application
  • app
  • mobile
  • cash
  • hbo max
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Cast & crew

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Cast

Taylor Lorenz leads the cast, with Sharon Carpenter and Eugene Byon. Directed by Salima Koroma; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia

· 3 more
From the director

More from Salima Koroma

More films directed by Salima Koroma: Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print, Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street and Bad Rap.

Full filmography
Ratings

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in character & emotion (55).

64 /100

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Echo Score Breakdown

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia delivers a moderately engaging documentary that balances informative detail with occasional narrative shortcomings. Critics commend its breezy tone, thorough recounting of the app's rapid ascent, and moments of sharp insight, while others note that viewers unfamiliar with the game may find the story thin and the pacing uneven. The film succeeds as a concise look at a tech phenomenon, though its broader appeal remains limited.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the documentary exhibits a polished yet conventional style. Reviewers highlight the film's clever pacing and occasional stylistic flair, which lend a sense of immediacy to the tech narrative. However, some critics point to filler visuals, such as inconsequential street scenes, that detract from a tighter edit. Overall, the craft is solid, though not groundbreaking.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character depth, the film presents a mix of compelling interviews and superficial commentary. The central figures receive nuanced attention, allowing moments of genuine emotional resonance, yet peripheral voices are described as gossipy and lacking substance. This uneven focus creates a narrative where the key personalities shine, but the broader human context feels underdeveloped.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The documentary’s story arc traces the rapid rise and abrupt fall of HQ Trivia with clear chronological structure and engaging details. Critics praise its ability to make a familiar cautionary tale feel fresh, but also note gaps in answering larger questions and occasional pacing lulls. Consequently, the narrative remains interesting, though it occasionally trails into repetitiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory elements such as soundtrack and sound design are adequate but unremarkable. Reviewers do not single out any standout musical cues or innovative audio work, indicating a functional but standard auditory backdrop. Visual style aligns with typical documentary conventions, providing clarity without notable artistic experimentation.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    The film offers moderate rewatch value, especially for viewers who enjoyed the original quiz app. Its breezy pacing and entertaining interview snippets invite a second viewing for fans seeking nostalgia. Yet, the limited new insights and occasional narrative meandering suggest that repeat engagements may be less compelling for those outside the core audience.

Videos

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia.

Trailer
Details

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia Also Known As

Also known as “Sh*tshow: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia”.

Also known as
  • Sh*tshow: The Rise and Fall of HQ Trivia

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FAQ

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia?

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia released?

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia was released on July 20, 2023.

Who directed Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia?

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia was directed by Salima Koroma.

More films by Salima Koroma

Who is in the cast of Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia?

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia stars Taylor Lorenz, Sharon Carpenter and Eugene Byon, among 7 credited actors.

How is Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia rated?

Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia have a post-credit scene?

No. Glitch: The Rise & Fall of HQ Trivia has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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