Inside R.J. Cutler’s New 'Esports World Cup: Level Up' Documentary
By Richard Rushfield
June 16, 2025
For decades, Emmy-winning director R.J. Cutler has brought audiences deep into the worlds of high-stakes culture—from political campaigns to pop icons like Billie Eilish and Elton John. Now, he’s stepping into an entirely new arena: esports. His latest docuseries, Esports World Cup: Level Up, is streaming now on Prime Video and dives headfirst into one of the most explosive, unpredictable, and globally transformative sporting events on the planet.
The five-part series follows the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) — a tournament so massive it offered a record-shattering $60 million prize pool. Shot in verité style, Level Up isn’t just about gameplay. It’s about the lives behind the keyboards. From international rivalries to stories of grit and personal sacrifice, Cutler captures the emotional intensity of elite-level gaming—and proves esports is no longer just a pastime. It’s a profession, a path, and for some, the only way out.
"What drew me to the Esports World Cup was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” said Cutler. “Level Up isn't just about the incredible competition and prize money; it's about the dedication, the passion, and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million, but who also expose their humanity in the process."
Premiering in more than 240 countries and territories, Level Up is more than a highlight reel of epic showdowns. It's a rare inside look at a rapidly evolving industry on the cusp of overtaking traditional sports in viewership and cultural relevance. The 2024 Esports World Cup was watched by over 500 million fans globally—numbers that rival, and in some regions surpass, the biggest sporting events.
Produced by This Machine (a Sony Pictures Television company), the series features stories filmed across continents—home visits in the Philippines, Indonesia, Ukraine, and the U.S., and behind-the-scenes access in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the tournament was held.
At the center of the action is the revolutionary EWC Club Championship: a multi-title competition where 200 Clubs from 100 countries competed across more than 20 of the world’s most popular games. From Call of Duty to League of Legends, every win and every point shifted the standings in real time. Victory wasn’t just about beating a single opponent; it meant outperforming the world in a marathon of skill, strategy, and endurance.
The emotional backbone of Level Up lies in its cast of real-life heroes—players whose personal journeys are as compelling as any comeback story in sports history.
There’s Soka, the firebrand from Oakland now repping Team Falcons. He’s loud, brash, and unapologetically competitive—but underneath the swagger is a kid who beat the odds and now leads one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
Then there’s FAKER, South Korea’s most iconic esports figure, whose presence alone commands reverence. Think Jordan, Brady, or Messi—FAKER is that level of legend, forced to battle not only his opponents but the myth he’s built around himself.
We meet Sanford, a 19-year-old prodigy from the Philippines who becomes his family’s main provider after his father suffers a stroke. And Drazah, who grew up in a makeshift shed in North Pole, Alaska, raised by a single mother and seven siblings, now playing on the world’s biggest esports stage for Atlanta FaZe.
One of the most emotional arcs follows Indonesian sisters Chel and Cinny, dominating the women’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang scene—until tragedy strikes the moment they arrive at the tournament. And Yevhen Zolotarov, the CEO of Ukrainian Club NAVI, who competes while his home country is at war, using the global stage to support a nation in crisis.
Then there’s Mossad Aldossary, the 24-year-old CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons, who’s gone from neighborhood gamer to national hero. With the tournament on home soil, he carries the expectations of an entire country—and the weight of legacy—on his shoulders.
“A win might make the headlines — but the real story is the people behind it,” Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said. “Level Up dives into the human side of esports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It’s about what it really takes to compete at the highest level — and why it matters. R.J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building.”
With unmatched access and emotionally raw storytelling, Esports World Cup: Level Up is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of sport. Whether you're a longtime gamer or someone who’s never picked up a controller, Cutler’s lens makes one thing clear: the next generation of sports icons may not wear cleats or catch a football—but their dedication is no less real.
Esports World Cup: Level Up is streaming exclusively on Prime Video with new episodes released weekly on Fridays and all five episodes available to binge on July 4.
Esports World Cup 2025 kicks off July 7 and features a new prize pool of $70 million and Cristiano Ronaldo as a global ambassador.
