Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, violence in tragic true crime equestrian docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
UNTOLD: THE SHOOTING AT HAWTHORNE HILL reveals the scandalous details that led up to the tragic shooting and consequential trial between retired Olympic equestrian Michael Barisone and dressage trainee Lauren Kanarek.
Is It Any Good?
Disturbing and unnerving, Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill is a not-so-subtle reminder of the importance of conflict resolution, especially in high-pressure sports arenas. A bit of a stretch for Untold, this documentary fails to hit the same amount of high-profile celebrity drama and sports entertainment as other films in the series. More true crime than sports scandal, this documentary unravels an unsettling tension spiral as Barisone and Kanarek's feud becomes yet another cautionary tale highlighting the consequences of unresolved arguments.
The harassment accusations, paranoia, and entitlement in the equestrian sport world are evident here. Everyone has their breaking point. And, unfortunately, the incapacity of both parties to put their egos aside and take responsibility for their actions leads to tragic circumstances that could have been avoided.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how this true crime documentary frames the spiraling dispute: Does the point of view seem to favor one person over the other? What responsibility do true crime documentary filmmakers have when telling real-life stories like this?
How does social media play a role in this conflict? What consequences does social media have in your life? What can we learn about how people present themselves online versus in person?
Is it appropriate to turn real-life stories into entertainment? Why, or why not? What questions do you still have after watching? Did anything feel exaggerated or sensationalized?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 21, 2026
- Director : Grace McNally
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Animals ( Horses ) , Competition , Sports
- Run time : 73 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : April 28, 2026
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