The Crash

• Directed by Gareth Johnson
• May 15, 2026 (US)

The case of Mackenzie Shirilla, the then 17-year-old who intentionally crashed her car into a brick wall which killed her boyfriend and his friend.

I vaguely recall the news coverage over the events that inspired The Crash. What I appreciate is that the filmmakers here do little to take sides and instead let those interviewed often assassinate themselves along with Mackenzie Shirilla. The circle around in particular Shirilla do nothing to soften her or mitigate guilt. The parenting style of the adults directly fed into much if not all of what happened.

Taking place in the day and age of social media with teenagers that are very into posting-for-likes requires some understanding or forgiveness regarding what they are engaged in. That is negated if not completely undone by the type of things they post and the tone-deaf nature when they post it. It quickly becomes partially an indictment of social media, entitlement, and self-obsession.

Frequently interviewed in The Crash is Assistant Prosecutor Tim Troup. He comes off as being frustrated if not downright upset with many people involved with a special focus on a young woman named Rosie Graham who portrays herself as close friend of Mackenzie. In the initial stage of the investigation Rosie was not open to talking and he sarcastically states he’s interested in what she has to say.

Rosie and other friends like Bubba (that’s the name of a winner there) along with Natalie and Steve Shirilla (Mackenzie’s parents) are clearly enablers of bad behavior or even covering for an angry young woman with almost no impulse control who in a fit ran a car into a brick wall. Mackenzie posts pictures of her flashing the middle finger or videos that she caps off with F-off (with a few more letters). These are throughout this presentation and none of them appear to repeat. That demonstrates an attitude. There are distinct indications that she was the cause of a toxic relationship.

Mackenzie’s circle of friends doesn’t always come off as the smartest or the deepest people. In her jail house interviews she seems a little bit more thoughtful with perhaps even being reflective. Certainly much more careful in how she speaks and reacts than her streams had implied. She has some medical condition (allegedly) that if it were her just talking you could buy as the cause of the accident until others point out the reality.

To get back to my point of her parents, the mother was very aware of the ‘condition’ and purported to be very concerned yet allowed Mackenzie to get a driver’s license because she seemed to be managing it. On one hand, mother Natalie seems very concerned about it but on the other if Mackenzie can manage it well enough to drive a car then why are you worried?

This is just a very chilling look at people trying to deflect or avoid responsibility and those that are okay with it. These are the worst examples of their generation filled with the shallowest of personalities. If anything, they look unphased not only over the deaths but that it was one of their friends/family member who was the killer.

There are no surprising revelations or deeper insights. Any assumptions you had about Mackenzie or her family or even friends are reinforced. This may only serve to back up whatever opinions you had on the whole situation. It gives more depth to already available information.

The Crash is interesting because it’s one continuous look at a well-known incident. Interesting enough to pass the time. I just don’t think I’d watch it again.