Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tons of swearing in mature Affleck alcoholism drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Way Back (2020)
What's the Story?
When the Bishop Hayes High School basketball team suddenly needs a new coach, former star athlete Jack Cunningham (Ben Affleck) is tapped for the job. Despite his own personal demons, his rough-around-the-edges mannerisms, and the team's dismal record, Cunningham finds the players' hidden talents. And he also starts to find THE WAY BACK to healing himself.
Is It Any Good?
Ben Affleck shows up in this atypical-for-him drama, elevating what would otherwise be a standard-issue sports film. His performance is so outstanding that it brings a new definition to the term "supporting actor": Everyone else in The Way Back is truly just supporting his ability to tell this story about the tragedy of alcoholism. His character, Jack Cunningham, is the kind of person who's often called a "guy's guy" -- and the movie's story will most likely appeal to older men who may better relate to the way Cunningham deals with the painful knocks life has handed him. Those tough moments are likely to squeeze parents' hearts so hard they can't breathe, which might also make them wonder how they'd handle such difficult moments in their own lives.
The Way Back may also be pointing to an effective way forward for faith-based films. It's hard to tell whether this one is or isn't intended to fall into that category. Like the agnostic who attends a Catholic school for the education rather than the dogma, the movie's faith-based elements are entirely character driven, and the setting is more of a means to an end. Unlike many of the movies coming out of the evangelical community, The Way Back doesn't preach, sermonize, or recruit: It just is. Cunningham is a blue-collar worker living in a community of blue-collar workers. He's not striving for perfection or even survival; he's striving to numb the pain. Some of his coaching techniques are the opposite of what the school is teaching. The chaplain prays with the athletes that they play with respect and dignity above all, while Cunningham's mission is to win, even if that means unsportsmanlike conduct. And he swears more like a Hollywood-stereotypical Miami drug dealer than a Long Beach Catholic high school coach. That's who Cunningham is, but for parents, it may be cringey to see the high school kids pick up on his favorite word: "f--k." Cunningham isn't intended to be a role model, and yet he is to these boys -- and therefore might, in a sideways direction, be to your kids. The Way Back is a film worth seeing, just not with them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about alcoholism. Does The Way Back portray drinking too much as a disease or a choice? Do you think any of the scenes made drinking look like fun or a bonding activity? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
What genre of film do you think this is? How does it compare to other youth sports dramas? Do you think this qualifies as a faith-based film? Why or why not?
Discuss the use of profanity and "locker room" jokes. How did you feel when the teens start pointedly using Cunningham's curse words in their own speech? Is there ever any benefit to using swear words?
Talk about Cunningham's approach to teamwork compared to Brandon's (or Cunningham's vs. the team chaplain's). What's the point of putting an anti-teamwork attitude in a story? Why is teamwork important? Do you think a player should take over if they're far better than the rest of the team, or is it better to work together, win or lose?
Cunningham seems capable of self-control at times, but certainly not always. Why is self-control an important life skill? What consequences does Cunningham face due to a lack of self-control?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 6, 2020
- On DVD or streaming : May 19, 2020
- Cast : Ben Affleck , Michaela Watkins , Janina Gavankar
- Director : Gavin O'Connor
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout including some sexual references
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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