In 1995, Christopher Reeve, best known as the iconic Superman, suffered a life-changing accident when he was thrown from a horse during an equestrian event in Virginia. The accident left him paralyzed from the neck down, transforming the Hollywood star who once seemed invincible into someone profoundly vulnerable. But this wasn’t the end of his story. Reeve went on to become a powerful advocate for spinal cord injury research and disabilities, using his voice and platform to drive change until his passing in 2004.
The new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story captures his journey in a deeply personal way, highlighting Reeve’s life as an actor, husband, father, and advocate. Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, the film doesn’t just chronicle his career and accident—it delves into how Reeve redefined his purpose and legacy after his injury.
One of the directors, Ian Bonhôte, noted that the project taught them profound lessons about grief. “You don’t overcome grief; you live with it and adapt,” he shared. This theme of adaptation resonates throughout the film as it follows Reeve’s struggle from the initial stages of recovery, battling thoughts of giving up, to eventually embracing a new purpose as a disability rights champion.
Less than two years after his accident, Reeve made his directorial debut with In the Gloaming, a film about a family coming together to support a son dying of AIDS. The project earned him critical acclaim and five Emmy nominations. Reeve didn’t just stop at directing—he continued acting in various roles and was an outspoken advocate, addressing a packed audience at the 1996 Academy Awards about the role of movies in addressing social issues.
The documentary also covers his work with the American Paralysis Association, which later evolved into the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Reeve’s own transformation—from someone struggling to see himself as part of the disabled community to a leading voice within it—is a core part of the narrative. The film also touches on his relentless push to understand spinal cord injuries and find new treatment methods.
Reeve’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. His personal life was marked by immense loss. Just months after Reeve passed away from heart failure in 2004, his wife Dana was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and passed away in 2006, leaving their young son Will without both parents.
The documentary is at its most powerful when Reeve’s children—Will, and his two older siblings, Matthew and Alexandra—reflect on the family’s experiences. Will recounts the heartbreak of pretending to be asleep the night his father died because he wasn’t ready to face the reality, and how his mother’s death left him feeling “alone.” The siblings’ emotional honesty makes them the heart of the film, carrying forward their father’s legacy with grace and strength.
The directors were deeply moved by how open and willing the Reeve children were to share their story. “They showed up ready to bare their souls,” Bonhôte said. “They’ve adapted and moved forward, embodying the resilience their father always showed.”
Overall, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is not just a film about a superhero’s tragic accident. It’s a story about the strength of the human spirit, love, loss, and what it means to find purpose even in the face of unimaginable hardship. The documentary premieres Wednesday and is presented by CNN Films, HBO Documentary Films, and DC Studios.
