• Documentary

Trainwreck: The Real Project X 2025

"Trainwreck: The Real Project X" is a gripping 2025 Netflix documentary, part of the broader "Trainwreck" anthology series, that revisits the chaotic events of 2012 in Haren, Netherlands. The film, directed by Alex Wood and with a runtime of 48 minutes, delves into how a seemingly innocuous Facebook event for a 16th birthday party, mistakenly set to public by Dutch teenager Merthe Weusthuis, spiraled into a full-blown riot. Inspired by the Hollywood film "Project X," which depicted a high school party spiraling out of control, the public invite for Merthe's modest gathering went viral, with tens of thousands RSVPing. Despite Merthe's attempts to cancel the event and appeals from local authorities, approximately 3,000 people converged on the quiet town of Haren. The lack of provisions or entertainment for the massive crowd, coupled with the "Project X" mentality, led to widespread chaos, including riots, vandalism, looting, arson, and numerous injuries. Over 30 people were arrested, and the mayor of Haren even resigned amidst criticism of the authorities' unpreparedness. The documentary features firsthand interviews, including with Merthe Weusthuis herself (speaking about the incident for the first time in 12 years), as well as YouTubers who filmed the event, and local government officials who tried to mitigate the disaster. "Trainwreck: The Real Project X" serves as a cautionary tale about the volatile power of social media, teen recklessness, and the real human cost of digital misfires, exploring themes of teenage trust, internet anonymity, and the frightening uncontainability of virality. It premiered on Netflix on July 8, 2025, and quickly garnered attention, landing in Netflix's Global Top 10. While some reviews found the film to be somewhat shallow in its analysis, it generally resonated with viewers interested in real-life media spectacles and the collision of simple online mistakes with public breakdown. Read More

• 2025
• 48 min
• 478 views
• 6.082
• TV-MA