The Senior has debuted with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score. Directed by Rod Lurie, with a script written by Robert Eisele, the new sports film follows the true story of Mike Flynt, who, at 59 years old, returned to his alma mater, Sul Ross State University, for a second chance at playing linebacker for the Division III college football team.
The Senior stars Michael Chiklis, who won an Emmy for The Shield and went on to play Ben Grimm/The Thing in Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). The cast also includes Mary Stuart Masterson, Brandon Flynn, four-time Emmy winner Rob Corddry, James Badge Dale, Terayle Hill, and Corey Knight.
With the movie now playing in theaters, The Senior has debuted with an 85% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie only has 13 reviews at the time of writing, so its score should fluctuate as more are published. With fewer than 50 verified ratings from users, The Senior doesn’t yet have an audience score, though it should very soon.
The Senior‘s Rotten Tomatoes score means that its reviews are mostly positive, with many describing it as a heartfelt and old-fashioned inspirational sports movie that thrives on Michael Chiklis’ performance. Some critics note that the film follows familiar beats and leans heavily on sentimentality, though Chiklis brings a conviction and warmth that elevates the story.
Several reviews highlight the film’s family-friendly tone and describe it as uplifting, accessible, and engaging despite its predictability. Still, a couple of critics point out its formulaic nature and lack of surprises, comparing it to other sports movies like Rudy.
One review refers to it as “hokum” and calls it “competently rendered” without much originality, while also admitting that it is inoffensive and good-hearted. While not groundbreaking, The Senior is generally seen as a charming, cheesy-but-sincere underdog story, with most agreeing that its emotional core makes up for its conventional storytelling.
While The Senior might not reach the iconic heights of Rudy, one of the most inspiring and best sports movies of all time, its strong reviews suggest that it deserves to be seen. However, its real challenge may lie in reaching audiences, given its low-profile theatrical release from Angel Studios. Still, for fans of inspirational sports dramas, The Senior seems well worth the watch.
September 19, 2025
Rod Lurie
Robert Eisele
Mary Stuart Masterson
Eileen Flynt
Brandon Flynn
Micah Flynt
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