Netflix's Who Killed The Montreal Expos Needed One Change To Be An All-Star Documentary
A minor adjustment could have made a big difference. In recent years, Netflix has released several outstanding sports documentaries. Titles like The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox and the Quarterback docuseries have provided countless hours of engaging content.
Given this, you might expect me to be thrilled about the new Netflix original, Who Killed the Montreal Expos?, which premiered in 2025 just before the World Series. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite the case.
While I appreciated Jean-François Poisson’s detailed exploration of the Montreal Expos’ storied history—the team’s triumphs and gradual decline—I believe one key change would have elevated this film to all-star status. Unlike the franchise it documents, this single element could have saved the documentary in my view.
A Respectful Tribute in Under 90 Minutes
Jean-François Poisson and his team managed to condense nearly 40 years of the Montreal Expos’ history into slightly more than 90 minutes. The documentary covers the highs, lows, and hardships, outlining the team's significance in Montreal, Quebec, and Canada. It lovingly captures the spirit of the team and the close bonds among players over the years.
The Missed Opportunity for a Multi-Part Series
Despite its strengths, this documentary would have been better served as a multi-part series to fully explore the depth of the Expos’ story.
"I have to give it to Jean-François Poisson and his team for chronicling the nearly 40-year history of the Montreal Expos – the good, the bad, the really bad, and the ugly – in a little more than 90 minutes."
Author's summary: Though well-made and heartfelt, this documentary needed a multi-episode format to truly honor the complexity of the Montreal Expos' legacy.