For the previous few years, the acclaimed true crime documentary sequence, Trainwreck, has revisited a few of the strangest and controversial moments (and figures) in fashionable historical past. From the extraordinary Woodstock ‘99 doc that began all of it to the surprisingly terrifying “Poop Cruise” episode, the gathering of docs has executed lots. Just lately, the 2025 Netflix unique turned its consideration to one of the peculiar tales of the 2000s with Trainwreck: Balloon Boy.
Although the documentary didn’t actually change my thoughts, and I nonetheless assume that the entire October 2009 incident a few younger boy supposedly being in a home made flying saucer is a few type of hoax, I left Balloon Boy feeling one thing I didn’t anticipate: sympathy for the Heene household. Let me clarify…
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy Did not Change My Thoughts When It Got here To The 2009 ‘Flying Saucer’ Incident
It has been 16 years since Falcon Heene supposedly snuck into his father’s home made flying saucer balloon and have become the middle of one of the ridiculous media sensations of the twenty first century. I’ve lengthy had the suspicion that Richard Heene knew all alongside that his six-year-old son wasn’t really within the balloon all these years in the past, and Trainwreck: Balloon Boy didn’t do something to alter my thoughts.
I don’t assume that the Heene household had nefarious intentions, and I actually imagine that they didn’t know it could flip into the large story that will ultimately finish with the daddy of three being handled as persona non grata and even going to jail for the hoax. For lack of a greater time period, it merely ballooned and received uncontrolled when the media took it to the subsequent degree within the newest doc within the binge-worthy Netflix sequence.
Nonetheless, I Cannot Lie And Say I Did not Really feel Unhealthy For The Heene Household
Although the documentary didn’t change my thoughts in regards to the incident, it did change the best way I noticed the Heene household. In reality, I can’t assist however really feel unhealthy for them and the whole lot they went by way of. Everyone knows people who find themselves a bit of off-kilter and don’t subscribe to societal norms; Richard Heene is a type of individuals. Does that make him a nasty man, a pariah, or somebody who needs to be dogged for the remainder of his life? I say no.
Yeah, the man has excessive vitality, takes a distinct way of living, and may come off as abrasive at instances, however he was making an attempt to make life enjoyable, thrilling, and significant for his three sons. For that try and have enjoyable together with his children, he grew to become one of many greatest punchlines of the previous 20 years. And that’s a disgrace.
One factor that Trainwreck: Balloon Boy does very well is the exploration of the actual penalties of a media circus, and the way one thing so small and harmless can flip right into a state of affairs that modifications everybody’s lives endlessly. Once more, I nonetheless have the sensation that Richard Heene knew his son wasn’t within the balloon when it took off, however I additionally assume he didn’t know it could finish with him spending three months in jail and having to maneuver throughout the nation to flee all of it.
I don’t know if this was the filmmaker’s intention, however the at instances heartbreaking Netflix documentary does an amazing job of illustrating the viciousness of the media within the wake of the incident. Whether or not it was an intense interview or a gaggle of cameramen sitting in entrance of the Heenes’ home in any respect hours of the evening (with brilliant lights), it was lots at instances. I don’t assume he anticipated that…
All in all, Trainwreck: Balloon Boy was one of many higher docs within the sequence up to now. If you would like, you’ll be able to verify all of them out now with a Netflix subscription.