The faith-based genre has come a long way in the past twenty years. While these films often lack depth in exploring character flaws, some still manage to surprise. The Senior, from director Rod Lurie, is one of those exceptions—a scaled-down version of Rudy for a new generation. Inspirational and entertaining, Lurie’s film carries a worthwhile message. Whatever you think of its accuracy, one thing is undeniable: it’s never too late to live your dreams.
However, at the heart of The Senior is redemption—not just for a lost dream, but as a story of fathers and sons. If only the film had more faith in exploring flaws beyond the surface level, Lurie’s work might have resonated more deeply with audiences instead of playing it safe and pandering. Thanks to the film’s star, Michael Chiklis, the journey lands with grit, heart, and just enough payoff to keep audiences invested until the final whistle.
The Senior Plot
The movie follows the incredible true story of Mike Flynt (Fantastic Four’s Michael Chiklis), who was kicked off the Sul Ross State University Lobos football team before his senior year after a fight with a teammate. Decades later, he receives an alumni letter in the mail. Confronted with what he considers the most shameful failure of his life, he tosses the flyer aside, determined to leave that chapter behind him.
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Of course, his wife Eileen (Mary Stuart Masterson) notices the act out of the corner of her eye. She pulls the flyer out of the trash, stains and all, forcing him to confront his personal shame. Mike decides to attend, running into old friends and foes along the way. He meets the current coach of the Lobos (Rob Corddry, who is remarkably poignant here while still delivering smarmy humor), impressed enough to give him a tryout—and with his family’s support—Mike finally finds the courage to live out his dreams.
The Senior Review
The Senior, like most sports films (and much of Angel Studios’ “based on a true story” filmography), exaggerates many details in the name of thematic subtext. While this new brand of faith-based filmmaking is more subtle than blatantly heavy-handed, we have no way of knowing if the myth of the real-life figure outweighs the reality. What we do know is that the movie leans too heavily on sentimentality, often failing to shape a healthy, three-dimensional character with genuine flaws.
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Flynt’s shortcomings are presented as “I try too hard” or generic human struggles, rather than the kinds of mistakes we all recognize. All conflict is resolved through faith rather than real human behavior or communication. The film also sidesteps the fact that, as is well documented, this was more of a publicity stunt designed to give a fledgling Division III football program and small state school national attention.
Is The Senior worth watching?
Still, Mike Chiklis delivers a stirring performance, particularly in the third-act inspirational halftime speech cliché. Then again, why should we mind? Halftime speeches became clichés precisely because they work, and this scene far outweighs the others. Chiklis has always had a knack for comic relief, which serves him well here. Unfortunately, Robert Eisele’s (The Great Debater’s) script relies too heavily on jokes about ageism.
Still, The Senior is worth watching for anyone who is a fan of faith-based films, sports movies, or Chiklis, in general. Movies like this need a third-act closing sequence that will have people stand and cheer. The film never reaches those Rocky levels, but watch the former Ben Grimm make a play that will have everyone picturing him yelling, “It’s clobberin’ time!” You cannot help but get caught up in the story, for better or worse. This time, for the better.
The new film The Senior premieres on September 12th!
