IMDb 6.5 2015 HD

The Program

The Program

2015
Drama
103 min R France
6.362 / 10
6.5 IMDB

An Irish sports journalist becomes convinced that Lance Armstrong's performances during the Tour de France victories are fueled by banned substances. With this conviction, he starts hunting for…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Stephen Frears / Barrie McCulloch / Zoe Liang / Guilhem Malgoire / Susanna Lenton
Starring
Ben Foster / Chris O'Dowd / Guillaume Canet / Jesse Plemons / Lee Pace / Denis Ménochet / Edward Hogg / Dustin Hoffman

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

gripping tense well-acted thought-provoking competent solid predictable sobering intelligent powerful committed dramatic

Reviews

C
Chloe Davies
Apr 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'The Program' presents a familiar narrative about a celebrated figure's fall from grace. Ben Foster gives a committed performance as Lance Armstrong, but the film doesn't quite manage to break new ground. The story, which follows an Irish…

M
Marcus Thorne
Apr 19, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is a masterclass in portraying a downfall. 'The Program' is a gripping, almost forensic, dissection of the Lance Armstrong saga, driven by an exceptional Ben Foster. His portrayal is nuanced, capturing the immense pressure and the ethical…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Apr 19, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

While 'The Program' tackles a significant and well-documented scandal, its execution feels somewhat by-the-numbers. Ben Foster certainly commits to the role of Lance Armstrong, but the film struggles to find a consistently engaging rhythm. The narrative, focusing on…

A
Arthur Pendelton
Apr 19, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'The Program' succeeds largely on the strength of its central performances and a taut directorial approach. Ben Foster is electrifying as Armstrong, embodying the complex duality of the athlete. The film eschews sensationalism for a more grounded, procedural…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 19, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Ben Foster delivers a chameleonic performance as Lance Armstrong in 'The Program,' capturing both the charisma and the underlying tension of the disgraced cyclist. The film, directed with a keen eye for the grim realities of the sport,…

FAQs

The film highlights the critical role of investigative journalism in holding powerful figures accountable, especially within the high-profile world of professional sports. It showcases the dedication and perseverance required by a journalist to challenge a narrative dominated by success and public adoration. By focusing on the reporter's perspective, it underscores the media's function in uncovering truths that might otherwise remain hidden.