Behind The Lens: 'THRESHOLD' Premieres On Peacock February 23

---

A new feature documentary chronicling Olympic champion Jessie Diggins will premiere on Peacock Monday, February 23, strategically timed to the Winter Olympic Games. THRESHOLD, directed by Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema, examines the personal cost behind Diggins’ historic success as the most decorated American cross-country skier in history.

Presented by Brinkema Brothers in association with Patrick Dempsey, who serves as executive producer alongside Torsten Brinkema, the film reframes the sports documentary format. Rather than revisiting past triumphs, 'THRESHOLD' unfolds across a single high-stakes competitive season, embedding viewers with Diggins and the U.S. Ski Team as pressure intensifies on and off the snow.

At the center of the film is Diggins’ ongoing battle with an eating disorder—a struggle that developed during her ascent to the sport’s highest levels. Through present-day vérité and interwoven moments from her early career, the documentary reveals how a belief that body control equaled competitive advantage gradually took hold. The result is not a retrospective confessional, but a season lived in real time—where podium ambitions coexist with recovery work.

The narrative moves from grueling races above the Arctic Circle to the first World Cup event held on American snow in more than twenty-five years. Throughout, Diggins’ public persona—defined by resilience and her ability to push deep into what athletes call the "Pain Cave"—is contrasted with private vulnerability. The film positions relapse not as failure, but as part of a complex recovery process rarely depicted in elite athletics.

Behind the camera, Lars Brinkema brings a foundation in intimate, socially conscious storytelling shaped by his award-winning short I Pray, which documented the Minneapolis community following the murder of George Floyd. Torsten Brinkema, a former collegiate ski racer, merges lived experience in the sport with a visual language centered on the relationship between athletes and environment. Together, their dual roles as directors and cinematographers create a perspective rooted in trust and proximity.

The score, composed by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, layers reflective vocal textures over stark alpine landscapes, reinforcing the film’s emotional architecture. Production credits include producers Mark Steele and Samantha Taylor, editors Yaniv Elani and JD Marlow, with executive production by Torsten Brinkema and Patrick Dempsey.

Ultimately, 'THRESHOLD' expands beyond competition. It addresses mental health stigma in high-performance sport while documenting Diggins’ continued pursuit of excellence, including her preparation for the 2026 Olympic Games across six events. The documentary frames ambition and care not as opposing forces, but as disciplines which must coexist.