‘Trainwreck: P.I. Moms’ (2025) Netflix Review - Phil Bowman Reveals Truth We Didn’t Know Existed

Trainwreck: P.I. Moms is a typical, unbelievable true story. It’s the kind of plot that makes you watch the scenes twice to confirm its reality.  The film revolves around a 2010 reality show that was never broadcast and named P. I Moms. The plot of the show followed a group of mothers residing in the Bay Area who were working as private investigators. Its creator was Chris Butler, who also ran the firm “Butler & Associates”. The cast, as mentioned, consisted of women, except one of them. A man named Carl Marino was part of the cast, who was an ex cop and an aspiring actor. We get to see two investigators- Daisy and Ami, who are visible throughout the film, right from start to end. They give us a glimpse of what is happening behind the scenes.

Right at the start, everything feels normal. These private investigators come and share their side of the story, how they have caught cheating partners and spouses, etc., but slowly and steadily, things go downhill. We see how Carl wanted to have a bigger role in the show. The makers, too, seemed more interested in fame than in reality and honesty. The major shift comes when a journalist named Pete Crooks receives emails from someone named “Ronald Rutherford.” Upon reading them, Crooks decides to dig deeper, and to everyone’s surprise, we come to know that most of this reality show is fake and made up. There were even drugs and police involved, hinting towards a big scam of corruption.

What should have been tales of mothers trying to expose reality and truth soon became a fraud.  Through this film, we see how director Phil Bowman showcases what the women might have wanted to say about the documentary. Though the show never aired or touched the audience‘s platforms, through these women and this documentary, we get to see the real story of what actually happened in the making of the show.

Sometimes the entire plot of the film can feel unreal. Because it's hard to believe that such a thing has happened. But better to believe it because that’s what makes the film worth watching. It is fast and jumps to reality quickly without wasting any time. This contributes to the overall success.

If you are someone who enjoys a detective plot and unraveling the truth, this documentary is for you. Through this, you can see more of what the eyes meet. If you knew about this reality show, then this film is your perfect chance to explore it in depth more than any other source can ever reveal.  The ending might leave you surprised and confused. But as mentioned before, you get to hear the plot straight from the horses’ mouths.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times