Netflix's "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" Review
A minor adjustment could have elevated this documentary to greatness. In recent years, Netflix has offered remarkable sports documentaries like The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox and the Quarterback docuseries, which I have enjoyed immensely. Given that, I expected to be captivated by Who Killed the Montreal Expos?, released in 2025 before the World Series. However, my experience was mixed.
Jean-François Poisson’s film provides a thorough exploration of the rise and gradual decline of Montreal’s National League baseball team. It chronicles the nearly 40-year history with care—highlighting the highs, lows, and painful moments—within a little over 90 minutes.
Strengths of the Documentary
- Captures the Montreal Expos’ significance to the city, Quebec, and Canada.
- Offers a heartfelt portrayal of the team and players who forged close bonds.
- Successfully condenses decades of history without losing key elements.
Key Shortcoming
Despite the solid effort, the documentary felt constrained by its single-film format. This limitation affected its depth, especially given the long and complex story it aimed to tell.
"This should have been a multi-part documentary."
Unlike the team it depicts, this one change could have saved the film in my eyes.
Summary
Jean-François Poisson’s film is a well-crafted tribute to the Montreal Expos but falls short of excellence due to its limited format and pacing.
Author's Conclusion
The documentary's inability to expand into a multi-part series ultimately prevented it from becoming a true all-star production.