Premiering on Peacock on February 23 alongside the excitement of the Winter Olympic Games, Threshold moves beyond the traditional sports documentary to reveal the deeply personal story behind one of the most celebrated athletes in American skiing history. Directed by Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema, the feature documentary follows Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins as she confronts a private battle with an eating disorder at the height of her career, offering a rare and unfiltered perspective on vulnerability, resilience, and recovery within elite sport.
Official Trailer
A Story That Goes Beyond Competition
While Jessie Diggins is widely recognized as the most decorated American cross-country skier ever, Threshold focuses on the emotional reality that existed behind her public success. The film explores the painful struggle she faced while maintaining the image of strength required at the highest level of competition. Through unprecedented access to Jessie and those closest to her, the documentary reveals how eating disorders can remain hidden even in environments defined by discipline and achievement. Rather than framing her story as a retrospective, the film unfolds in real time, allowing audiences to experience both progress and pressure as they occur.
One Season, A Lifetime of Challenges
The narrative follows a single high-stakes competitive season, interweaving present-day vérité footage with formative moments from Jessie’s past. Embedded with Jessie and the U.S. Ski Team, the filmmakers capture grueling races above the Arctic Circle and the intensity of the first World Cup competition held on American snow in more than twenty-five years. As the season progresses, the film traces how a relentless pursuit of perfection shaped Jessie’s relationship with performance and self-image, revealing how deeply the belief that body control equals success became embedded in her career.
A Film About Recovery and Hope
At its core, Threshold is a story about hope and visibility. By choosing to share her experience openly, Jessie offers reassurance to those facing similar struggles, demonstrating that relapse is not failure and that seeking help is an act of strength rather than weakness. The documentary captures her ongoing effort to balance ambition with self-care, showing how recovery becomes a continuous process rather than a final destination. Through honesty and advocacy, Jessie emerges not only as an elite athlete but also as a powerful voice for mental health awareness and athlete well-being.
Filmmakers Driven by Personal Connection
Directors Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema bring deeply personal perspectives to the project. Lars Brinkema, whose background in photojournalism includes documenting the Minneapolis community following the murder of George Floyd, approaches storytelling through intimacy and social awareness, shaping the film into his feature-length directorial debut. Torsten Brinkema, a former collegiate ski racer turned filmmaker and visual artist, draws from his own experience within the sport to build trust with Jessie and capture the emotional realities of elite competition. Their collaboration results in a film grounded in empathy and authenticity.
Music and Craft That Reflect Emotional Depth
The film’s emotional tone is further shaped by a score from composers Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, whose atmospheric compositions blend voice, harp, and electronic textures to mirror the internal landscape of Jessie’s journey. Editing by Yaniv Elani and JD Marlow supports the film’s fluid movement between past and present, while cinematography by Torsten Brinkema and Lars Brinkema captures both the vastness of winter landscapes and the quiet, personal moments away from competition.
Redefining Strength in Elite Sport
More than a portrait of athletic achievement, Threshold reframes what strength looks like at the highest level of performance. Jessie Diggins, a three-time Olympic medalist preparing to compete in six events at the 2026 Olympic Games, is known for her relentless determination and ability to push through the most demanding races. Yet the film suggests that true endurance lies not only in physical performance but also in the courage to confront personal struggles openly. Through its honest storytelling, Threshold becomes a powerful reminder that resilience is not defined by perfection, but by the willingness to be seen, to heal, and to continue moving forward.
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