'The Zebra & the Bear' Review: A Fierce, Fearless Battle Against Time
- Romey Norton
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - April 24, 2025
Filmed over seven years, this moving and masterfully told documentary follows one mother’s extraordinary mission to save her daughter from Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD)—a rare, fatal genetic disorder that most people have never heard of. But by the informative and personal documentary storytelling, by the end, you won’t just know the acronym, you’ll feel its weight, and the fire it ignited in Amber Olsen.
The documentary opens with viewers being introduced to the family through wholesome movies, and why they’re telling this remarkable story. The film is filled with personal footage, interviews, candid scenes, and elegant narration. You’re not just watching Amber fight for her child, you’re watching her help change the course of rare disease research.
At the heart of The Zebra and the Bear is Amber, a Mississippi mother who refuses to accept the impossible. Told her daughter had a terminal disease and no treatment, Amber didn’t collapse, or accept that fate, instead, she got to work. What unfolds is not just a tale of advocacy, but a full-blown campaign: fundraising millions, forming a research team, and charging into the world of biotech and gene therapy like a force of nature.
The film gives a behind-the-scenes look at how modern medicine gets made when it doesn’t exist yet in the United States. The science and medical jargon are grounded in everyday moments, from a child learning to walk to a family meal. Showcasing how medicine and everyday lives mix, both the good and the bad.
Hearing from specialists, doctors, more professionals to help understand Willow and what her family goes through daily feels incredibly personal, and as a viewer you’re privy to private conversations. Willow is such a sweet little girl you can’t help but fall in love with her and want her to find some miracle cure. And that’s what makes it such a compelling watch. Whether or not you’ve ever heard of MSD, this film speaks to anyone who’s ever been up against the odds. It’s a rallying cry for rare disease families, a case study in grit, and an emotional gut-punch all at once.
Towards the end, there’s mixed high emotions that flit between high hopes, sadness, desperation and acceptance. This is a documentary that will have you questioning your own morals and choices, and what you might do in this situation. It’s one that will tug at your heartstrings and get you talking. If you’re a documentary fan, and want something informative to watch, then The Zebra and the Bear is a must.
A moment for the title of the documentary. Not many titles need a breakdown, but this one stood out to me. The title The Zebra and the Bear is as intriguing as the film itself. In medical slang, doctors are trained to expect “horses,” not “zebras,” when diagnosing patients, meaning the most likely explanation is usually correct. But when it comes to rare diseases, the “zebras” matter. And Amber? She’s the bear: strong, unstoppable, fiercely protective.
Looking for more impactful documentaries? Explore Film Focus Online for insightful reviews, filmmaker interviews, and the best of the festival circuit. Because sometimes, the quietest films carry the loudest truths!
