Particle Fever (2013)
An extraordinary documentary placing viewers inside the most ambitious scientific experiment in human history — the search for the Higgs boson.
Particle Fever - Movie Information
- Original Title: Particle Fever
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Mark Levinson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 14, 2013 (United Kingdom - U), September 29, 2013 (United States), September 29, 2013 (Germany - 12), June 1, 2014 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Locos por las partículas (ES), A Febre das partículas (PT), Febre de partículas (BR)
- Production Companies: Anthos Media, Particle Fever
- Production Countries: United States of America
Particle Fever - Plot
As the Large Hadron Collider is about to be launched for the first time, physicists are on the cusp of the greatest scientific discovery of all time - or perhaps their greatest failure.
Particle Fever - Trailer
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Particle Fever - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mark Levinson
Main Cast
- Martin Aleksa
- Nima Arkani-Hamed
- Savas Dimopoulos
- Monica Dunford
- Fabiola Gianotti
- David Kaplan
- Mike Lamont
Writers
- Savas Dimopoulos
- Martin Aleksa
- Nima Arkani-Hamed
Producers
- Andrea Miller
- David Kaplan
Particle Fever - FAQs
What is Particle Fever about?
Particle Fever follows six physicists during the 2008 launch of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the world's most powerful particle accelerator. The film captures their obsessive quest to discover the Higgs boson — the so-called 'God particle' — and the profound personal and scientific stakes riding on the experiment.
Does Particle Fever show the actual Higgs boson discovery?
Yes! The film was shot over several years and captures the real, historic July 2012 announcement confirming the Higgs boson's existence. Watching the scientists' raw emotional reactions — tears, applause, disbelief — as the discovery unfolds on screen is one of the most genuinely moving moments in science documentary filmmaking.
Where can you stream or watch Particle Fever?
You can rent or buy Particle Fever on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It's widely available across major digital platforms, so finding a way to watch it should be pretty straightforward.
Do you need a physics background to enjoy this film?
Not at all. Director Mark Levinson — himself a physicist — crafted the film specifically for general audiences. The science is explained through the scientists' own excitement and curiosity, making complex concepts like supersymmetry and the Higgs field feel accessible, urgent, and genuinely thrilling even without any prior physics knowledge.
Who are the main scientists featured in Particle Fever?
The film centers on six physicists: theorists Nima Arkani-Hamed, Savas Dimopoulos, and David Kaplan, alongside experimentalists Monica Dunford, Martin Aleksa, and Mike Lamont. Fabiola Gianotti, who later became CERN Director-General, also appears as a key figure in the Higgs boson announcement.
Is Particle Fever worth watching for non-scientists?
Absolutely. Critics praised it as one of the best science documentaries in years — it holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Beyond the physics, it's a deeply human story about obsession, collaboration, and the courage to ask questions that might not have answers. It's compelling viewing for anyone curious about how science actually works.
Who edited Particle Fever and why does it matter?
The film was edited by the legendary Walter Murch, renowned for his work on Apocalypse Now and The English Patient. His involvement is a big reason the film feels cinematic rather than academic — Murch shapes years of raw footage into a taut, emotionally resonant narrative that builds genuine suspense around a scientific experiment.
What are some films similar to Particle Fever?
If you enjoyed Particle Fever, check out A Brief History of Time (1991), Errol Morris's portrait of Stephen Hawking, A Trip to Infinity (2022) on Netflix, and The Hunt for Dark Matter (2017). CERN, or The Factory for the Absolute (2010) also offers a fascinating look at the same collider from a different angle.
More About Particle Fever
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