Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Review – Rob Ford, Crack Scandals, and the Netflix Spectacle You Won’t Believe

I’ll just start off my Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem review with this little gem of a quote…

“The last thing is, Olivia Gondek said I want to eat her pussy–I’ve never said that in my life to her,” said Ford. “I would never do that. I’m happily married and I’ve got more than enough to eat at home.”

And with that, welcome to Netflix’s latest entry in the Trainwreck anthology. If that quote doesn’t tell you exactly what kind of documentary you’re about to watch, nothing will. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem is the 49-minute retelling of Rob Ford’s rise, fall, and spectacular unraveling as Toronto’s crack-smoking, gaffe-slinging mayor. It’s fast, it’s absurd, and honestly? It’s a blast.

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Review

What the Hell Is This Doc Even About?

Netflix’s Trainwreck series has a thing for high-octane disasters, and this one might top the list. Directed by Shianne Brown, Mayor of Mayhem recounts how Rob Ford went from unlikely underdog candidate to international meme. We get a crash course in his populist charm, his war on the “gravy train,” and how that all collided with an actual crack video, erratic public meltdowns, and a press conference quote that still makes jaws drop years later.

It’s not just a greatest-hits reel of Ford’s lowest moments, though. The doc actually does a decent job of threading the needle between spectacle and substance. There’s enough context here for viewers who didn’t live through the Ford years to follow the chaos, and enough WTF moments to keep longtime Ford-watchers glued to the screen.

Rob Ford 101 – The Man, The Mess, The Mayhem

You don’t need a PhD in Canadian politics to enjoy this one. Ford’s story is like a political sitcom written by someone who accidentally turned the script into a Mad Lib. He won the 2010 Toronto mayoral race by a landslide, promising to cut taxes and clean up city hall. And for a while? He actually had people cheering for him.

But then came the drinking. The disappearing acts. The erratic behavior. And, of course, the crack cocaine scandal that set the internet ablaze. The doc walks through all of it in a tidy timeline that moves at a steady clip. It never feels bogged down, even when it touches on the heavier moments (like Ford’s cancer diagnosis and untimely death at 46).

Style Check – How Netflix Delivers the Madness

One thing this doc does right: no fluff. At 49 minutes, it’s lean, fast, and cut for short attention spans (mine included). Archival footage, news clips, and interviews are woven together cleanly. You get perspectives from journalists who covered Ford’s meltdown, city staffers who worked for him, and talking heads who still aren’t totally sure how he survived as long as he did.

Doug Ford declined to participate (no surprise there), but his presence looms large. His eventual rise to Premier of Ontario is mentioned only briefly, which feels fair given the focus.

Critics Weigh In – Jaw-Dropping or Just a Rehash?

Reviews from outlets like The Guardian and POV Magazine land somewhere between impressed and underwhelmed. Most agree it’s a fun watch but doesn’t break new ground. That’s fair. It isn’t trying to. This isn’t an exposé—it’s a highlight reel. And as long as you walk in knowing that, it’s hard not to enjoy the ride.

Personally, I didn’t feel like anything was missing. I came in knowing the broad strokes (crack scandal, media circus, the guy died young). What I got was a sharp, engaging retelling that filled in some gaps and reminded me just how batshit wild those years really were.

Audience Reaction – Laughing, Cringing, and Ford Nation Flashbacks

Twitter lost it. Reddit pulled receipts. And Doug Ford? He called the filmmakers “disgusting” for dredging it all up. So yeah, the doc struck a nerve.

Still, for every angry take, there were viewers like me who appreciated how the film balanced Ford’s chaotic legacy with moments that were surprisingly human. He came across as a guy who probably wasn’t cut out for the job but genuinely wanted to be liked. Honestly? He looked like he’d be a hell of a guy to split a pitcher with—just maybe don’t let him run a city.

My Take – This Trainwreck Was Worth the Ride

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem is fast, funny, and full of moments that will have you shouting, “Wait, did he really say that?” (Yes. Yes, he did.) If you’re into political drama, true crime, or just the kind of spectacle that reminds you how weird real life can be, this one’s worth a watch.

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Review – My Final Verdict

Score: 4/5 – Short, sharp, and wildly entertaining.

Netflix didn’t set out to rewrite history here. They just wanted to remind us that sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. And with Rob Ford? It wasn’t even close.

FAQ

How long is Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem? 49 minutes.

Is this part of a series? Yep. It’s the latest entry in Netflix’s Trainwreck documentary anthology.

Does it show the actual crack video? It shows snippets and reenactments, plus reactions from reporters who saw it firsthand.

Is Doug Ford in it? Not directly. He declined to participate, though he gets plenty of screen time in archival footage.

Do I need to know Canadian politics to enjoy it? Absolutely not. Just bring your curiosity and a sense of humor.

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 14 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.