Murderball (2005) presents an engaging expose on popular social and cultural perceptions of physical disability. In some instances, the film provides opportunity in the narrative for the audience to experience aspects of disabled persons' life that might otherwise be missed thereby challenging the audiences preconceived notions about physical disabilities. In other instances, the film reinforces what most would consider popular notions of what it is like to be physically disabled.
One way the film Murderball challenges popular ideology about physical disabilities is the extreme competitiveness between Quad Rugby players on the USA and Canada teams. This type of fierce competition is thought to be generally reserved for able bodied athletes at the pinnacle of popular sports. Showing physically disabled athletes in an environment of disciplined and determined competitiveness is eye-opening when one considers that those with physical disabilities are not usually considered to be athletic or competitive.
On the other hand, the girlfriend of quadriplegic Mark, mentioned in an on camera interview that one of the reason she was draw to Mark was because of her natural mothering instinct. This statement reinforces popular cultural ideas that physically disabled people need to be taken care and implies that they are helpless without the constant care of their able-bodied counterparts.
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