What Is Rad About?
The premise of Rad in 273 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sun‑kissed suburb where the rhythm of daily life is punctuated by the clatter of gears and the whoosh of wheels, young Bill Allen dreams of more than the familiar streets that raised him. He lives with his little sister, a bright‑eyed partner in mischief, and a mother who worries about the practical road ahead. The town’s bike shops and skate parks pulse with the same restless energy that fuels his desire to turn a weekend hobby into a future of his own making.
The world of competitive BMX racing is a kaleidoscope of high‑speed daring, bright uniforms, and fierce rivalries that spill onto televised tracks watched by a nation. At its apex lies a coveted, nationally broadcast event—a platform that promises not only prize money and a brand‑new Corvette, but also the kind of spotlight that can launch a newcomer into the stratosphere of the sport. Yet the path to that stage is guarded by a powerful promoter whose grip on access is as tight as the chain on a bike, creating a high‑stakes environment where ambition must wrestle with bureaucracy.
Against this backdrop, Bill’s determination becomes a magnetic force, pulling together friends, neighbors, and the quiet strength of his family. Their collective belief in his talent hints at a larger community rallying behind a local hero, while the promise of the big race looms as both a test of skill and a crucible for character. The film’s tone balances the gritty grind of training with the bright optimism of teenage hope, inviting viewers to wonder whether sheer will and grassroots support can outpace the entrenched power structures of the sport.
What Happens in Rad?
The complete story of Rad, from the first scene to the last, in 358 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Cru Jones [Bill Allen] is a teenage BMX racer who lives in a small town with his younger sister Wesley Laura Jacoby and their mother Talia Shire. He faces a tough choice: qualify for Helltrack, or take the SAT in order to attend college. Winning Helltrack means $100,000, a new Chevrolet Corvette, and fame. Cru chooses the former option, against his mother’s wishes.
The Helltrack race is endorsed by the city and by Duke Best Jack Weston, the duplicitous president of FAB (the Federation of American Bicyclists), who’s also the owner of Mongoose Racing. Duke keeps adjusting the rules, in order to keep Cru out of the race, and also to ensure BMX star Bart Taylor Bart Conner has an easy road to victory, thus providing a financial windfall for Mongoose Racing.
Numerous BMX racers show up for Helltrack. Cru meets Lori Loughlin Hollings, who becomes his romantic interest. At Cru’s senior prom, he and Christian perform freestyle bike stunts on the dance floor to the awe of his classmates. After being blocked from the race due to a last-minute rule-change on participant sponsorship, Cru is ready to give up Helltrack until Wesley Laura Jacoby customizes a shirt for him to wear at the event. It reads “Cru is RAD.” Inspired by this, Cru and his friends use the money he won from qualifying ($10,000) to found a small T-shirt business: Rad Racing. However, a few days before the race, Duke changes the rules yet again, claiming any company sponsoring a racer must be worth at least $50,000. When the townspeople hear about this, they rally around Cru; their contributions, particularly a generous donation from wealthy Mr. Timmer, provide Rad Racing with enough money for Cru to enter Helltrack.
During Helltrack, Duke bribes twins Red and Rod Reynolds to take out Cru, but they fail. In the final stretch of the race, Taylor and Cru face each other; Cru ultimately wins Helltrack, while Taylor is dropped from Mongoose Racing. Now aware of Duke’s true nature, the entire Mongoose team quits on him. Cru offers Taylor a spot in Rad Racing, while Duke is asked to resign from FAB.
Rad Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Cru confronts a life-changing choice: Helltrack or college SAT” to “Duke resigns from FAB”. 13 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Cru confronts a life-changing choice: Helltrack or college SAT
Cru Jones must choose between chasing Helltrack glory and taking the SAT to go to college. The Helltrack prize includes $100,000, a Chevrolet Corvette, and fame. He ultimately opts for Helltrack, going against his mother's wishes.
When:Lead-up to Helltrack Where:Cru's hometown
- 2
Helltrack is endorsed by the city and Duke Best of FAB
Helltrack is endorsed by the city and by Duke Best, the duplicitous president of FAB and owner of Mongoose Racing. Duke keeps tweaking the rules to bar Cru from competing and to make Bart Taylor's path easier, ensuring big profits for Mongoose.
When:Lead-up to Helltrack Where:City and Helltrack circuit
- 3
Cru meets Christian Hollings
Cru meets Christian Hollings, who becomes his romantic interest. Their relationship adds a new layer of motivation and support as Cru trains and navigates the race's political games.
When:During Helltrack lead-up Where:Town
- 4
Senior prom stunt show
At the senior prom, Cru and Christian perform freestyle bike stunts on the dance floor, captivating their classmates. The stunt display showcases their chemistry and Cru's defiant charisma.
When:Senior prom Where:Prom venue (school gym)
- 5
Cru blocked from Helltrack due to sponsor rule change
Cru is blocked from entering Helltrack due to a last-minute rule change on participant sponsorship. The update catches him off guard and threatens his chance to race, despite his prior qualifying.
When:Shortly before Helltrack Where:Helltrack entry gate
- 6
Wesley creates the Cru is RAD shirt
Wesley designs a shirt for Cru with the message Cru is RAD, which he wears at the event. The shirt becomes a symbol of the community's support and an inspiration for Cru to push forward.
When:Right after the blocking announcement Where:Wesley's home
- 7
Rad Racing founded with qualifying winnings
Using the $10,000 Cru won in qualifying, Cru and his friends launch a small T-shirt business called Rad Racing. The venture helps fund gear and builds a local brand that rallies the town behind Cru.
When:After Cru qualifies and wins money Where:Town storefront / workshop
- 8
Duke raises the sponsor bar to $50,000
Duke changes the rules again, requiring any company sponsoring a racer to be worth at least $50,000. The move heightens the stakes and drives the townspeople to dig deeper to support Cru and his team.
When:Few days before Helltrack Where:FAB offices
- 9
Town rallies around Cru; Timmer's donation helps Rad Racing
The townspeople rally around Cru, with support pouring in from fans and local businesses. A wealthy donor, Mr. Timmer, makes a generous contribution that provides enough funds for Cru to enter Helltrack.
When:Before Helltrack Where:Town
- 10
Helltrack begins; Duke bets on sabotage
Helltrack begins and Cru faces sabotage attempts as Duke bribes twins Red and Rod Reynolds to take him out of the race. The bribery fails, and Cru stays competitive.
When:During Helltrack race Where:Helltrack arena
Show the other 3 events of Rad Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Final stretch: Cru vs Bart Taylor
In the final stretch, Cru and Bart Taylor duel for the lead. Cru ultimately wins Helltrack, while Taylor is dropped from Mongoose Racing.
When:Final stretch of Helltrack Where:Helltrack course, final stretch
- 12
Taylor joins Rad Racing
Following Cru's victory, Bart Taylor is offered a spot in Rad Racing, showing sportsmanship and a bid to unify riders under Cru's banner.
When:Immediately after the race Where:Rad Racing HQ
- 13
Duke resigns from FAB
The manipulation by Duke is exposed, leading to the entire Mongoose team quitting on him and Duke being asked to resign from FAB.
When:After Helltrack Where:FAB headquarters
Who Are the Main Characters in Rad?
9 characters, among them Cru Jones (Bill Allen), Wesley Jones (Laura Jacoby) and Mrs. Jones (Talia Shire): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 7 of them link to the actor’s page.
- CJ
Cru Jones (Bill Allen)
Played by Bill Allen
A teenage BMX racer from a small town, Cru is a fearless and resourceful competitor who places skating-style risk-taking alongside sharp strategic thinking. He faces a tough choice between chasing Helltrack glory and taking the SAT for college, choosing the former to prove himself and protect his family’s future. Cru’s leadership emerges when the town rallies around him and he navigates corrupt attempts to exclude him from the race.
- 🏁 Underdog
- 🚴 BMX Prodigy
- 🎯 Focused
- WJ
Wesley Jones (Laura Jacoby)
Played by Laura Jacoby
Cru’s younger sister, Wesley is observant and energetic, catalyzing some of Cru’s decisions (e.g., crafting the motivational shirt). She embodies the supportive sibling who believes in Cru even when the odds are stacked. Wesley’s presence adds a familial, boy-next-door warmth to the high-stakes BMX world.
- 👧 Sibling
- 🌀 Cheerful
-
Mrs. Jones (Talia Shire)
Played by Talia Shire
Cru and Wesley’s mother, protective and practical, pushing for college and a stable future even as she supports Cru’s BMX dreams. She embodies the tension between parental expectations and a teen’s pursuit of passion. Her concern about safety and responsibility grounds the emotional core of Cru’s choices.
- 👩 Protective
- 🧭 Guidance
-
Duke Best (Ray Walston)
Played by Ray Walston
The duplicitous president of FAB and owner of Mongoose Racing, Duke is the antagonist who keeps changing the rules to block Cru and favor Bart Taylor. He embodies corporate manipulation, greed, and a willingness to bribe and cheat for financial windfalls. His ruthlessness catalyzes the town’s resolve and Cru’s ultimate triumph over manipulation.
- 💰 Corporate Trickster
- 🗡️ Antagonist
- BT
Bart Taylor (Bart Conner)
Played by Bart Conner
A BMX star and rival to Cru, Bart is the favored racer under Duke’s schemes. His presence heightens the competition and raises the stakes as Cru fights to prove himself against a赛 system designed to keep him out. The dynamic underscores the price of sponsorship-driven fame in sports.
- 🏁 Rival
- 🥇 Star
- RR
Red Reynolds
One of the twins bribed to take Cru out of the race, Red embodies the pressure to conform to the sponsor-backed plan. His attempt is thwarted, highlighting the film’s message that integrity can outlast manipulation. Red’s actions reveal the broader costs of corrupt incentives.
- 🃏 Trickster
- 🧩 Obstacle
- RR
Rod Reynolds
Red’s twin brother, another racer entangled in the bribery scheme. Rod’s involvement adds to the pressure Cru faces, illustrating how communal trust is tested by corrupted incentives. His arc contributes to the sense that the right path often requires resistance to corrupt pressures.
- 🤝 Pressure
- 🏎️ Challenger
-
Mr. Timmer (Jack Weston)
Played by Jack Weston
The wealthy donor whose generosity becomes crucial to Rad Racing’s ability to enter Helltrack. Timmer’s support exemplifies how community funds and high-spirited philanthropy can empower dreams, especially when official channels fail. His involvement reinforces the theme of grassroots empowerment overcoming gatekeeping.
- 💸 Benefactor
- 🧡 Philanthropist
-
Christian Hollings (Lori Loughlin)
Played by Lori Loughlin
Cru’s romantic interest, Christian brings warmth and encouragement to Cru’s journey. She shares in Cru’s wins and setbacks, contributing to his personal growth and the emotional stakes of the competition. Her support adds a layer of human connection beyond the race.
- 💞 Love Interest
- 💪 Supportive
Where and When Is Rad Set?
Rad is set in Small-town USA (1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1980s
Set in mid-1980s America, the film captures the era’s blend of teen rebellion, sports hype, and emerging sponsorships. BMX culture is at its peak, turning local racers into celebrities and local businesses into sponsors. The period emphasizes youthful ambition, college anxieties, and the lure of fame through competitive sport.
Where
Small-town USA
The story unfolds in a close-knit American town where BMX racing is a local passion. Streets and high school gyms become stages for stunts, rivalries, and community gatherings around the sport. Helltrack looms as a city-wide spectacle that tests pride, courage, and the townspeople’s willingness to mobilize for one of their own.
- 🏡 Small Town
- 🚴 BMX Culture
What Are the Themes of Rad?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Underdog Victory, Community Support and Passion and Growth.
-
01
Underdog Victory
Cru Jones represents the archetypal underdog who challenges a system rigged by corporate interests. The Helltrack race becomes a proving ground where authenticity and grit confront manipulated rules. The climax suggests that determination and skill can triumph over arranged advantages. The film frames victory as a deserve-earned payoff for perseverance.
-
02
Community Support
When access is blocked by rules, the town unites to fund Cru’s entry and sustain a grassroots effort. Shirts, donations, and shared purpose illustrate how collective action can alter the odds. The theme highlights the power of local solidarity against corporate gatekeeping. It shows that a cohesive community can transform a dream into reality.
-
03
Passion and Growth
Cru’s choice between Helltrack and college reflects the pull between passion and practical paths. The journey tests his focus, resilience, and willingness to risk everything for what he loves. Romantic support from Christian Hollings adds emotional depth to his personal development. The arc centers on pursuing a dream while negotiating responsibilities and expectations.
What Kind of Film Is Rad?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
An uplifting and energetic 80s sports drama that follows a determined teenager's inspiring underdog journey to win a major BMX race while overcoming corrupt opposition.
- uplifting
- energetic
- underdog
- nostalgic
- determined
- inspiring
- coming of age
- sports competition
- underdog story
- small town
Where to Watch Rad
Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Amazon Prime Video 
Amazon Prime Video with Ads 
Kanopy 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
