MOVIE TITLE: The Senior

This inspirational sports movie opens in theaters on September 19, 2025

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 39 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

Angel Studios has done it again! I’m so impressed with all of the fantastic movies they’ve been constantly pumping out. It’s not the volume, but the quality of the films that is especially noteworthy. Their goal is to put goodness in the world. Mission accomplished. I’m so tired of watching soul-sucking movies filled with senseless violence, unnecessary gore, and F-bombs. We all deserve better. Angel Studios has raised the standards in film.

At the end of this movie, there is a QR code on the screen that allows viewers to “Pay it Forward” by donating money so that those who can’t afford to see good films like this in theaters can get a free ticket. Nice touch. Thank you, Angel Studios! You can also learn more about it www.angel.com/sharesenior

The film was directed by Rod Lurie, and written by Robert Eisele. The movie was based on the true story about a man who was kicked off a college football team for always getting into fights. Now, at age 59, he learns that he’s eligible to try out for the team again because he didn’t finish his senior year, beginning the biggest fight of his life for redemption.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Bullying is portrayed
We see people get in physical and verbal fights

THEMES:

Football
Anger management
Finishing what you started
Regret
Unfinished business
Redemption
Determination and hard work
Communication
Showing support to others who have a dream
Family

THINGS I LIKED:

Michael Chiklis did an outstanding job in this role. He’s in incredible shape and believable in this role. He was the same age as the real Mike Flynt when he began filming this project. He’s now 62 years old. During the final rolling credits, we get to see some video clips of when he got to meet the real Mike Flynt.
I hadn’t seen Mary Stuart Masterson in anything for quite a while, so it was good to see her. Other cast members who did a good job were Rob Corddry, Brandon Flynn, Terayle Hill, and Corey Knight. The controversial Justin Baldoni was one of the producers of the film.
If you love football, you’ll absolutely love this movie. If you don’t love the sport, you’re still going to enjoy this film!
High school reunions can be powerful moments in life for self-reflection. In the case of this true story, it was life changing for Flynt.
This inspirational film got me teary-eyed within the first 30 minutes.
Fantastic locker room speech in the final game!
I’m not one for spoilers, but this movie will give you all the feels you hoped for in a movie like this.
There are quite a few layers and themes you can sink your teeth into. The movie is about much more than football. In fact, the real Mike Flynt tells us that at the beginning of the movie.
We get to see photos and old video footage of Mike Flynt at the end of the movie. There’s a message on the screen before the rolling credits begin that says, “Mike Flynt waited 37 years for his second shot. Someone out there is still waiting for theirs.”
My husband loves the Rubber band-Man song. Nice touch in the film.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Not everything that is represented in the movie actually took place in real life. Disappointing.
I appreciate that Mike Flynt wasn’t portrayed as a perfect man. He was terribly flawed and some viewers might not even like him. That being said, he also shows great humility during his quest and you’ll want to root for someone who is willing to work that hard to right his wrongs.
As far as sports flicks go, it’s pretty predicatable. Still, I didn’t mind one bit. I’m a sucker for underdog sports movies.

FUNNY LINES:

“He’s like a 59-year-old Rudy.” – Coach Henry (Steve Mokate)
“Allow me the privilege of worrying about a husband who’s gonna fight semitrucks every Saturday.” – Eileen Flynt (Mary Stuart Masterson)
“Football is a contact sport.” – Eileen Flynt (Mary Stuart Masterson) “Football is a collision sport.” – Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis)
“When I go in to test my patience, the results are always negative.” – Coach Sam Weston (Rob Corddry)

INTERESTING LINES:

“It’s not about winning. It’s about finishing what you start.” – Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis)
“We need more morality in football.” – Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis)
“Technique AND strength.” – Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis)
“We’re your team too.” – Mary Stuart Masterson (Eileen Flynt)
“He’s my father. It’s not my job to heal him of his sins.” – Micah Flynt (Brandon Flynn)
“We’re not defined by our successes. We’re defined by our regrets.” – Mike Flynt (Michael Chiklis)