The Lionheart (2023)
Story overview
This documentary explores the legacy of racing champion Dan Wheldon, who died in a 2011 IndyCar crash, focusing on how his two young sons process their grief a decade later by pursuing racing careers themselves. The film combines archival race footage, family interviews, and contemporary scenes of the boys training and competing, creating an intimate portrait of loss, resilience, and the complex bonds within a motorsports family.
Parent Guide
A thoughtful documentary about grief, family, and motorsports legacy. Suitable for mature children 8+ with parental guidance due to emotional themes.
Content breakdown
Contains real footage of racing crashes, including the fatal accident that killed Dan Wheldon (shown briefly but not graphically). Racing scenes show high-speed danger and peril.
Discussion and depiction of sudden death may be disturbing. Emotional scenes of family grief and children coping with loss. Racing crash footage could be intense for sensitive viewers.
Occasional mild expletives (e.g., 'hell', 'damn') in interview segments. No strong profanity.
No sexual content or nudity.
No depiction of substance use.
High emotional content dealing with grief, loss, and family trauma. Intimate interviews with grieving family members. Themes of mortality and legacy may provoke strong feelings.
Parent tips
Watch together with children ages 8+ to discuss themes of grief, family legacy, and risk in sports. Be prepared for emotional moments and discussions about death. The documentary handles mature topics sensitively but may be intense for younger viewers. Consider your child's familiarity with racing and loss before viewing.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
—
- What did you learn about racing from this movie?
- How did the family help each other feel better?
- What was your favorite part of the movie?
- Why do you think the boys chose to race like their dad?
- How does the movie show people dealing with sadness?
- What safety things did you notice in racing?
- How does the film explore the tension between honoring legacy and personal identity?
- What does the documentary suggest about how grief evolves over time?
- How does motorsport culture handle risk and tragedy?
Where to watch
Choose region:
- HBO Max
- HBO Max Amazon Channel
Trailer
Trailer playback is unavailable in your region.
