BS High (2023)
Story overview
BS High is a 2023 documentary that investigates the aftermath of a nationally televised high school football game between top-ranked IMG Academy and the obscure Bishop Sycamore, which ended in a lopsided victory for IMG. The film reveals that Bishop Sycamore was not a legitimate high school football program as presented, uncovering a complex story of deception, ambition, and the pressures of youth sports. It explores themes of fraud, media manipulation, and the exploitation of young athletes, offering a critical look at the darker side of competitive sports culture.
Parent Guide
BS High is a documentary that uncovers a fraudulent high school football program, dealing with themes of deception, exploitation, and media scrutiny. It is rated TV-MA for mature themes and language, making it most appropriate for teens and adults. The content is emotionally intense and discusses real-world ethical issues that may require parental guidance for younger viewers.
Content breakdown
Includes footage of football games with typical sports contact and tackles. No graphic violence, but there is peril in the sense of emotional and psychological harm to the young athletes involved, as the documentary reveals their exploitation and the fallout from the scandal.
The documentary reveals disturbing real-life deception and manipulation, which may be unsettling as it shows adults exploiting young athletes. Scenes include discussions of fraud, media backlash, and the emotional impact on the players, which could be distressing for sensitive viewers.
Includes some strong language such as 'hell' and 'damn,' and possibly stronger terms in context of frustration or anger. The language is not pervasive but is present in interviews and discussions about the scandal.
No sexual content or nudity is present in this documentary.
No depiction or discussion of substance use.
High emotional intensity due to the revelation of fraud and its impact on young athletes. Viewers may feel anger, sadness, or frustration as the story unfolds. The documentary handles serious themes that can provoke strong emotional responses, especially in those invested in sports or youth issues.
Parent tips
This documentary deals with mature themes like deception and exploitation in youth sports, which may be confusing or upsetting for younger viewers. It's best suited for teens who can critically analyze media and understand complex ethical issues. Parents should be prepared to discuss the real-world implications of the events portrayed, including the impact on the young athletes involved. The film includes some strong language and intense emotional moments, so previewing or watching together is recommended for viewers under 13.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
—
- Did you understand what happened in the football game?
- How do you think the players felt?
- What does it mean to be fair in sports?
- Why do you think the adults lied about the team?
- How did the media play a role in this story?
- What responsibilities do coaches and schools have to their players?
- What systemic issues in youth sports does this documentary expose?
- How does this case reflect broader societal problems with ambition and ethics?
- What could have been done to prevent this situation, and what reforms might help?
🎭 Story Kernel
BS High is a harrowing exploration of the Bishop Sycamore High School scandal, but it transcends the typical sports documentary by functioning as a character study of a pathological liar. At its core, the film examines the dark side of the American Dream, where the desperation for athletic success meets a total lack of institutional oversight. Roy Johnson, the central figure, weaponized the hopes of young Black men, promising them a path to the NFL while providing no education, no proper nutrition, and no actual school. The narrative exposes how easily a ghost institution could infiltrate national television, revealing a sports-industrial complex more concerned with content and revenue than the safety or legitimacy of the students involved. It is a story about the commodification of youth and the terrifying power of a charismatic sociopath.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The documentary employs a stark, clinical visual style that contrasts the high-octane energy of televised football with the bleak reality of the players' living conditions. Directors Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe utilize tight close-ups during Roy Johnson’s interviews, capturing every micro-expression of his unrepentant ego, which creates an unsettling intimacy. This is juxtaposed with grainy archival footage of the infamous 58-0 blowout against IMG Academy, where the physical vulnerability of the Bishop Sycamore players is painfully evident. The cinematography often emphasizes empty spaces—barren practice fields and nondescript hotel rooms—to symbolize the void where a school should have been. The color palette is grounded and somber, stripping away the usual gloss of sports media to reveal the raw, human cost of the deception.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
BS High was directed by the Academy Award-winning duo Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, who previously won an Oscar for the short film Two Distant Strangers. The project was produced under Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries, a production company known for tackling themes of systemic corruption and societal farce, as seen in The Big Short. A significant portion of the documentary's impact comes from the filmmakers' ability to secure Roy Johnson’s participation; he reportedly believed the film would be a platform for his comeback, unaware that the final edit would serve as a searing indictment of his actions.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- HBO Max
- HBO Max Amazon Channel
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region.
