Netflix's Trainwreck: The wild true story behind The Real Project X's viral house party

Cosmopolitan

09-07-2025

Netflix has expanded its Trainwreck series, which already includes deep-dives into Woodstock '99 and Poop Cruise (IYKYK), with the latest instalment following a house party that took over the streets of a quaint Dutch town.
Trainwreck: The Real Project X was released on the streaming platform this week (8 July) and speaks to those at the centre of the house party that became global news. Whether you've already binged the newest addition or you want to clue up before tuning in, here's everything you need to know about the true story behind Netflix's Trainwreck: The Real Project X...
In 2012, a teenage girl – Marije Weusthuis – living in Haren, Netherlands, created a Facebook event for her upcoming Sweet 16 birthday party. Although she intended to just invite close family and friends, the teen accidentally set the invite to public and it was quickly shared amongst thousands of people.
As her invite gained more attention, the teen realised her error but more than 17,000 people had RSVPd to the event before she had a chance to take it down. By this point, things had already gotten out of control, as other copycat invites were created in its place. One such copycat event was posted by 18-year-old Jorik Clarck who framed the invite as a surprise party for Weusthuis. His invite made several references to 'Project X', and the partygoers quickly adopted the phrase, with many even making merch branded with the slogan.
Despite the best efforts of the Weusthuis family, who contacted Clarck to remove the event over fears for their safety, it soon became clear that partygoers would turn up even after both invites were removed from Facebook.
Local authorities frantically planned ways to mitigate what they suspected would be a mass event in the streets of this quaint Dutch town, with Chris Garrit (a government official in charge of supervising local nightlife) explaining in the documentary that he wanted to set up a designated space for the party in an attempt to contain it. This plan was rejected by Haren's mayor, Rob Bats, who instead opted to broadcast that the party was cancelled, urging people not to attend.
However at this point the horse had already bolted and, by the night of 21 September, 2012, 350,000 had RSVPd to the event. Weusthuis and her mother fled the family home, seeking refuge at a nearby relative's house, while her father stayed to protect the property and provide support for their neighbours. In the Netflix documentary, footage shows partygoers arriving in their thousands, alcohol and speakers in hand, chanting: "Where's the party? The party is here!"
Although the police were deployed to close off the streets and contain the party as much as possible, a riot broke out and people quickly began breaking car windows, setting public property alight, and looting from nearby stores. Luckily, no one died during the event, but at least 36 people were injured and, according to Netflix's documentary, 100 people were arrested after police reviewed footage from the night. Of those arrested, 17 were charged with "crimes related to the riots".
The next morning, the town was in somewhat of a ruin, prompting residents to create their own Facebook event: Project Clean-X Haren.
Of the 350,000 people who RSVPd to the Project X party, over 3,000 actually showed up on the night. Here are a few of the key figures in Trainwreck: The Real Project X...
Marije Weusthuis – the teenage girl who posted the first event on Facebook to celebrate her Sweet 16
Jorik Clarck – a different teen who created a copycat Facebook event, which he later removed at the request of the Weusthuis family
Chris Garrit – a government official in charge of supervising local nightlife, who brainstormed ways to control the party before it took place
Rob Bats – Haren's mayor, who was eventually forced to resign over his poor handling of Project X
If you think all of this sounds familiar, then you're right! Weusthuis' party took place just months after the release of Project X was released in cinemas. The movie follows three high-schoolers who throw a wild party – which devolves into a free-for-all – in an attempt to make a name for themselves. The movie stars the likes of Miles Teller (Whiplash, Fantastic Four), Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect), and Dax Flame (21 Jump Street).
Trainwreck: The Real Project X is available to stream now on Netflix, along with other instalments of the series: The Astroworld Tragedy, The Cult of American Apparel, Woodstock '99, Poop Cruise, and Mayor of Mayhem.