American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez film review (2024)

In his three seasons with the New England Patriots, Aaron Hernandez scored 18 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards receiving. In college, Hernandez was named a first-team All-American and was part of a Florida Gators run to the national title. Despite all of his success and accomplishments during his career, he will be remembered for one thing only: the murder of Odin Lloyd. American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez details the rise and fall of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez. Several documentaries have been made to try to determine what drove Hernandez to murder, because it's hard to comprehend what would drive a man to throw away millions of dollars and a life of luxury. All he ever wanted to do was play in the NFL. How did it end like this?

This series is based on the Wondery and Boston Globe podcast “Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez & Football, Inc.”, but is the first time Hernandez's story has been dramatized with actors. In addition to Hernandez, played by actor Josh Andres Rivera, there are many familiar faces, including Hernandez's coaches — Florida's Urban Meyer and New England's Bill Belichick. Most of the time, those familiar faces are distracting, if not downright hilarious. It's hard to take Hernandez's plight seriously when you see Belichick singing along to Bon Jovi's “It's My Life.” Fortunately, “American Sports Story” decides to keep appearances by teammates Gronkowski and Brady to a minimum.

“American Sports Story” paints a picture of an athlete who was encouraged to play despite injuries, including possibly multiple undiagnosed concussions. He also tried to hide his true identity in a hypermasculine environment that would never have accepted him for who he was. In the two-part premiere, “American Sports Story” lays the groundwork for Hernandez’s fear of being perceived as a gay man. His father, Dennis Hernandez, is portrayed as a violent man — often demeaning Hernandez and his brother when they didn’t live up to his high expectations. Although Hernandez was terrified of his father, he also idolized him. The dream of playing in the NFL, the league “that owns its own day that it stole from the church,” is all that matters. The NFL is also a place for “men,” as Hernandez’s father puts it, a word that in this case carries with it respectability and a certain attitude. Hernandez often struggled to be the man his father wanted him to be – he couldn't conform to the masculine public image without hiding who he really was.

Another overarching element of American Sports Story examines the institutions that made Hernandez believe he was above the law. There is little doubt that his struggles with CTE and his sexuality stem from his fear and decision-making. The University of Florida, the NFL and the New England Patriots are all arguably to blame for the man he eventually became. American Sports Story is interested not only in how a football player with all that money and status could commit murder, but ultimately the experiences that led to it.

Rivera deserves credit for portraying such a complicated and well-known athlete and for diving into the depths of that portrayal. His portrayal of Hernandez is “American Sports Story”'s strongest selling point, as it showcases the different personalities Hernandez could have shared. Aside from the lead role, the women of the show come off much better than the many famous faces. In the penultimate episode, “What's Left Behind,” Hernandez's fiancée Shayanna Jenkins (Jaylen Barron), his mother Terri (Tammy Blanchard) and his cousin Tanya Singleton (Lindsay Mendez) must grapple with the aftermath of his arrest and decide how to define it. Barron's character in particular has a dilemma — even though she's only Hernandez's fiancée, she must decide whether to continue to stand by his side or turn her back on him like so many others have done before her.

Although American Sports Story offers compelling drama, it never rises above the level of a Lifetime series – the abusive father figure, the absent mother and a group of friends who push Hernandez towards dangerous substances. While these events very likely happened in real life as depicted in the series, much of it feels contrived to tick off a checklist. Did Hernandez have affairs with men during his time in Florida? Maybe. Was he suicidal at other times in his life? There's no way to know. The most gripping event of the entire series, Hernandez's relationship with Odin Lloyd and the murder that follows, doesn't live up to expectations.

Hernandez committed murder, perhaps several, but the series wanted to solve another crime — who was it that killed Aaron Hernandez? Was it the University of Florida that let him get away with multiple crimes? Was it the New England Patriots who knew they were taking on a young man with problems and didn't give him the resources he needed? Maybe it was his family life? In reality, it was probably a combination and not just one thing. Rivera does an admirable job showing Hernandez's many sides. Still, much of this is either a rehash of previous documentaries or not compelling enough to warrant a 10-part miniseries. Not to mention, the casting choices of many famous faces are woefully inadequate and distracting. Ultimately, “American Sports Story” wants to provide an entertaining look at the downfall of a modern professional athlete. Maybe they'll find the entertaining part next season, because this one isn't good.

The 10-part miniseries was screened for review. Airs weekly on FX.