Written by: Jay Heilman (9/18/2025)
In a time when movies often rely on special effects or cynical plots, The Senior arrives as a powerful and deeply moving reminder of what cinema can be. This is, without a doubt, one of the best and most heartfelt football movies in recent memory, driven by an incredible true story and a powerhouse performance from Michael Chiklis.
The film tells the amazing true-life story of Mike Flynt, a man who gets a second chance to right his life’s biggest wrong. Decades after being kicked off his college football team just before his senior season, Flynt is haunted by the “what ifs.” At an age when most are looking toward retirement, he decides to do the unthinkable: he straps on the pads one more time to rejoin his old team and play his final year of eligibility… at 59 years old.
What follows is not just a sports story; it’s a profound story about faith, family, and the courage to face the past. The Senior is a truly encouraging and uplifting film that speaks to the deep human desire to not live in regret. It masterfully teaches us that it’s never too high a mountain to climb and never too late to seek redemption.
Michael Chiklis delivers a stellar, career-defining performance as Mike Flynt. He perfectly captures the physical toll and the emotional weight of a man battling not just players half his age, but the ghosts of his own past. You feel his pain, his determination, and his ultimate joy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It’s a beautiful, inspiring, and triumphant story that will stick with you long after the credits roll.
4.5/5
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The Senior Bonus: Interview with Mike Flynt (Coming Soon)
Released: 9/19/2025 (Theatrically)
Running Time: 99 Minutes (Angel Studios)
Rated PG for thematic content, violence, language and a suggestive reference.
Links for The Senior:
