Netflix Releases Highly Anticipated Documentary on Motocross Star Ken Roczen Titled “THE UNDERDOG”, Set to Premiere on the 25th
By Staff Writer | April 8, 2025
Los Angeles, CA – Netflix is once again redefining the sports documentary landscape, this time with its high-octane, emotionally charged, and brutally honest film “THE UNDERDOG” — an intimate chronicle of one of the most resilient athletes in modern sports: motocross icon Ken Roczen.
Set to premiere globally on April 25th, “THE UNDERDOG” peels back the layers of the German-born superstar’s inspiring and often harrowing journey from prodigy to powerhouse — and from devastating injury to global motocross phenomenon.
With never-before-seen footage, behind-the-scenes access, and heartfelt interviews, the documentary is already drawing comparisons to Netflix hits like The Last Dance and Drive to Survive, but with a uniquely raw edge that only Roczen’s story could deliver.
The Legend Behind the Lens
Ken Roczen is not just a motocross athlete. He’s a symbol of grit, mental toughness, and unrelenting belief. Born in Mattstedt, Germany, Roczen began turning heads in the motocross world before he was old enough to drive. By the time he was a teenager, he was a European champion. By 20, he was a factory rider in the U.S. and considered one of the sport’s most promising stars.
But his path to greatness wasn’t linear — and it certainly wasn’t easy.
After an explosive start in AMA Supercross and Motocross, Roczen’s career nearly came to a halt following a catastrophic crash in 2017 at the Anaheim Supercross. The injury — which left his left arm mangled with shattered bones, torn ligaments, and nerve damage — would have ended most careers. But Roczen refused to let it define him.
“THE UNDERDOG” opens with dramatic slow-motion footage of that crash — a moment that sent shockwaves through the motocross world. From there, the film dives deep into his brutal rehab process, the mental toll of comeback attempts, and his defiance in the face of critics who believed he’d never ride at the elite level again.
What emerges is a portrait not of a fallen star, but of a phoenix in riding boots — rebuilding, refueling, and returning.
A Story That Transcends the Sport
Directed by award-winning documentarian Jessica Meyers, known for her emotionally driven storytelling in Against All Odds and Iron Within, “THE UNDERDOG” captures the universality of Roczen’s struggle. It’s about far more than dirt bikes. It’s about the human spirit.
“Ken Roczen’s journey is one of the most incredible stories I’ve ever had the honor to tell,” Meyers said in a recent interview. “This is a man who went through unimaginable physical trauma — who couldn’t use his arm for months — and somehow willed himself not only to ride again but to win. It’s about perseverance, identity, fear, and love. And it’s something every viewer, whether they follow motocross or not, can relate to.”
The film also details Roczen’s ongoing battle with Epstein-Barr virus and other health challenges that continued to plague his return to peak form. Instead of glossing over these chapters, the documentary embraces the difficulty and confusion that came with them — the doctor visits, the self-doubt, the fans’ questions, and the internal war between ambition and reality.
“THE UNDERDOG” doesn’t just ask whether Roczen could come back. It asks what it means to come back — and whether greatness can be measured not by titles, but by the size of the heart behind the handlebars.
Never-Before-Seen Access
Thanks to unprecedented cooperation from Roczen and his family, fans are treated to deeply personal moments: his quiet reflections in rehab, candid scenes with his wife Courtney and their son, and the sleepless nights filled with pain, uncertainty, and fear.
Netflix cameras followed Roczen for over two years, capturing his return to the track, his physical therapy sessions, his emotional breakdowns, and even the birth of his son. The access is unparalleled, and the payoff is a narrative that feels authentic and deeply human.
“I wanted to be honest,” Roczen says in one particularly moving clip. “If I was going to tell this story, I had to tell all of it — not just the highlights, but the hard stuff, too. Because that’s the reality. That’s my reality.”
Roczen’s honesty, often delivered in voiceovers layered over racing footage, makes for compelling storytelling. His raw commentary allows fans to see past the helmet and into the mind of an athlete who was never supposed to race again — let alone dominate again.
Interviews with Legends and Rivals
The documentary features interviews with a who’s who of motocross legends, including:
• Ricky Carmichael, who calls Roczen “the most mentally tough rider of his generation.”
• Ryan Dungey, a former rival turned close friend.
• Chase Sexton, who discusses Roczen’s influence on the new generation of riders.
• James Stewart, offering insight into the sport’s unforgiving nature and the brilliance of Roczen’s technique.
Also included are appearances from trainers, doctors, fans, and Roczen’s own parents, who share stories of his early obsession with bikes and the pain of watching their son risk it all time and again.
The documentary doesn’t shy away from criticism, either. Journalists and analysts weigh in on the moments Roczen fell short of expectations, questioned his own future, and responded to public scrutiny with both fire and humility.
A Roaring Return to Glory
The climax of “THE UNDERDOG” builds toward Roczen’s triumphant 2023 Motocross season, where he silenced doubters by securing multiple podium finishes and winning two key races. While he didn’t claim the championship, his presence on the track — fast, fearless, and fluid — was a statement in itself.
The documentary ends not with a trophy, but with a moment: Roczen, helmet off, looking out over a cheering crowd with his son in his arms. It’s a shot that encapsulates the heart of the film — a man who risked it all not just to win, but to ride.
Critical Acclaim Already Pouring In
Though it hasn’t officially dropped yet, “THE UNDERDOG” has already been screened for select media and insiders — and the reviews are glowing.
Variety calls it “a triumph of storytelling that transcends sport.”
The Guardian praises its cinematography and emotional weight, saying it “blends adrenaline and vulnerability in a way that will redefine how athletes are portrayed on screen.”
Motocross fans are also buzzing on social media, with early teaser clips racking up millions of views and hashtags like #TheUnderdog and #KenRoczenDoc trending worldwide.
Why This Matters Now
Netflix’s decision to spotlight a motocross figure is significant. While the streaming giant has produced iconic documentaries on basketball, football, and Formula 1, it has rarely ventured into the dirt-covered, high-stakes world of Supercross and motocross. Roczen’s story provides the perfect entry point — one rich with drama, injury, culture, and passion.
Industry insiders say the success of “THE UNDERDOG” could spark a wave of interest in the sport, potentially opening the door for more Supercross-focused content, series, and live broadcasts.
“Ken Roczen is the perfect ambassador for this moment,” said Supercross commentator Daniel Blair. “He has the story, the look, the global appeal. This documentary could be a game-changer — not just for his legacy, but for the sport as a whole.”
Final Thoughts
As the world awaits the April 25 premiere of “THE UNDERDOG,” one thing is clear: this documentary is far more than a film about racing. It’s about resilience. It’s about belief. It’s about what happens when an athlete refuses to let fate write the ending of his story.
Ken Roczen’s journey — from prodigy to champion to shattered and back — isn’t just worthy of a Netflix spotlight. It’s the kind of story that will inspire athletes, fans, and underdogs around the world for generations to come.
And when the screen fades to black and Roczen’s voice delivers his final words, viewers will understand: this isn’t just a comeback story.
It’s a revolution on two wheels.
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