THE WAY BACK (2020)
An impressive, redemptive sports drama reserved for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
THE WAY BACK is an unusually strong sports drama because basketball is only the doorway into a deeper story about addiction, accountability, mentorship, and redemption. Ben Affleck gives an impressive performance as Jack Cunningham, a gifted former player whose destructive lifestyle has left him far from the man he once was.
The film’s Christian moral vision gives Jack’s recovery meaningful support. Christians at his former Catholic school challenge him, keep him accountable, and help him reconsider his priorities. The writing, performances, and exceptional score make the characters’ struggles emotionally affecting.
But the film’s abundant strong foul language is a serious cost. This is worthwhile for discerning adults who can engage its redemptive themes without being harmed by its content. For children and young teens, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJack Cunningham was once the best basketball player in his state. Now he drinks throughout the day and lives destructively.
When the priest at Jack’s former Catholic high school asks him to coach its winless varsity team, Jack reluctantly accepts. As he learns the players’ gifts and helps them discover a new passion for basketball, he must also face the choices that have shaped his own life.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exceptional film, not merely a competent sports story. THE WAY BACK features amazing performances, an impressive script, and an exceptional musical score.
The movie develops Jack’s story gradually, revealing more about him as viewers laugh, cry, and empathize with the characters and their challenges. The score adds greatly to the film’s overall effect. Its strongest achievement is going deeper than the usual sports drama to explore personal struggle and redemption.
The Worldview
THE WAY BACK presents a strong Christian, moral worldview. Jack returns to his Catholic high school to coach basketball, where Christian adults help keep him accountable and guide him toward healthier priorities. The film treats becoming a better person for the sake of children as important, and it includes crosses and a prayer made in Jesus’ name.
The story presents alcohol and drunkenness as destructive rather than admirable. Jack’s recovery is connected to responsibility, mentorship, and the willingness to change. The film also includes one humanist comment that life after death is nothing, though the comment is refuted.
The film’s central hope is that a person trapped in destructive choices can begin again through accountability, responsibility, and redemption. Scripture calls believers to “put off your old self” and “put on the new self” (Ephesians 4:22–24).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong Christian, moral worldview with images of crosses, a prayer is made in the name of Jesus, and becoming a better person because of children is important, plus one humanist comment about life after death being nothing but it’s refuted
Foul Language
98 obscenities (including 59 “f” words), seven GDs and one use of Jesus
Violence
Man falls down a hill and hurts himself
Sex
No objectionable sexual content
Nudity
Upper male nudity
Alcohol Use
Alcohol use and drunkenness, but it’s seen as bad and destructive, including man drives drunk
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Smoking but no drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Man tries to become a better person man but curses frequently around teenagers.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Jack’s drinking damages his life and relationships. What does it look like to tell the truth about a destructive habit and seek help?
Proverbs 28:13 · James 5:16The Christians at Jack’s school hold him accountable while helping him rebuild his priorities. How can accountability be both truthful and compassionate?
Galatians 6:1–2 · Ephesians 4:15Jack begins to see himself as a mentor to teenagers. What responsibilities come with influencing younger people?
James 3:1 · 1 Timothy 4:12The film connects becoming a better person with caring for children. How does Scripture describe the way our love should shape our actions?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Philippians 2:3–4The Final Word
THE WAY BACK is a beautifully acted, well-written, deeply moving sports drama with a strong Christian moral center. Its overwhelming profanity and mature themes make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For family viewing, consider.
