The Speed Cubers, a 2020 documentary following Rubik’s Cube-solving champions Feliks Zemdegs and Max Park, is a captivating, thrilling, and heartwarming story about competition, personal growth, and friendship. Much of the documentary follows the pair and their competitors at the 2019 World Cube Association’s World Championships in Melbourne, where the best speed-cubers from all over the world have gathered to break Rubik’s Cube world records.

But before the competition, we get to learn a little more about the world famous speed-cubing champions. Feliks Zemdegs hails from Melbourne, Australia, and he, like most Rubik’s Cube champions, discovered the craft when he was young, and rather than growing out of the “phase” his parents thought he was in, he became the best in the world, breaking records beginning at just 14 years old and winning his first world championship in 2013. He held that title until 2017, when Max Park not only won the world championship, but broke Feliks’ record fort he 3x3 Rubik’s Cube solve.

Max Park grew up in the United States, and his parents realized when he was very young that he was a bit different than other kids his age. After many doctor visits, Max was diagnosed with Autism. His parents spent many years trying to help Max develop the physical, social, and emotional skills that come naturally to kids without Autism, but were having trouble finding success. That is, until the Rubik’s Cube came into the picture.

Max was immediately hooked on the Rubik’s Cube, spending hours and hours practicing each day, fascinated by the algorithms and patterns, but also by Feliks, the world champion. Max attended the 2013 world championships and watched Feliks win his first title, and even asked for a photograph and an autograph, a first for him in both categories. Feliks became an idol to Max, but more than that, he became a friend.

As Max got better and better and started breaking Feliks’ records, Feliks always reached out to Max to congratulate him, and though they rarely were able to see one another outside of the speed-cubing world championships, they developed a long-lasting friendship.

Going into the 2019 world championships, no one could guess who would come out on top: Feliks, who had essentially established himself as the greatest of all time, or Max, who won the title for the first time at the last competition but has been breaking records left and right ever since. Much of the documentary takes place here, at the championships, with thrilling and extraordinary twists that will have you absolutely captivated.

Director and producer Sue Kim did an excellent job with this film. Within minutes I was enthralled, rooting for these strangers I hadn’t heard of moments before. Experiencing the emotions of the competitors, these kids who had devoted their lives to something they’re so passionate about, all culminating in one place, one competition, it was emotional, uplifting, and such a heartwarming story.