The Way Back

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2:13

The Way Back

R

Released Mar 6, 2020

1h 48m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

215 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Verified Ratings

Jack Cunningham was a high school basketball superstar who suddenly walked away from the game for unknown reasons. Years later, he's now stuck in a meaningless job and struggling with alcoholism -- the very thing that ruined his marriage and his hope for a better life. But Jack soon gets a shot at redemption when he becomes the basketball coach for his alma mater, a program that has fallen on hard times since his teenage glory days.

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Critics Consensus

The Way Back's occasionally frustrating treatment of a formulaic story is often outweighed by Ben Affleck's outstanding work in the central role.

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Affleck carries the movie both in his muscles and in his subtle shifts of expression.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

David Sims

The Atlantic

The Way Back features the rawest and most natural performance Affleck has given in his career.

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The bristly, embittered drunk is a borderline melodramatic cliché, but Affleck imbues it with a lived-in intelligence...

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

David Griffiths

Subculture Entertainment

I really got the feeling throughout the film that with Affleck in this kind of form this film could have Oscar-winner written all over it if only a few minor re-writes had occurred in order to make me care more about some of the characters at hand.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 29, 2024

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

The Way Back is an inspirational sports drama that follows the genre’s stereotypes and formulaic storytelling, but it’s still very successful in its execution. Ben Affleck is reason enough to give Gavin O’Connor’s flick a go.

Rated: B

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Dallas King

Outtake Mag

Drawing on his own past experiences, it is one of his best on-screen performances in a long time. Affleck is the film’s MVP but [the film] falls short of the stuff hoop dreams are made of.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 12, 2022

Full Review

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Kimberly J

Excellent Redemptive

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/25/21

Full Review

Nancy P

The whole movie was great and Ben was outstanding!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/11/20

Full Review

Chris P

It was a great movie. About how a person was down and out and an opportunity Changed his life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/23/20

Full Review

Audience Member

#TheWayBack #MovieReview: 8.5/10 Pros: Ben. Affleck. Surprisingly comedic Emotionally moving Beautiful direction and cinematography Doesn't overstay it's welcome Treats characters with respect Cons: Small pacing issues VERY familiar story Ending could've expanded more

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

R L

Great unbelievable mission for a rookie soldier in the middle of a terrible war. Unexpected developments along the way. Great acting and a great story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/20

Full Review

PCain

Old theme and predictable storyline. Stream it.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/25/20

Full Review

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Gavin O'Connor

Director

Ben Affleck

Jack Cunningham

Al Madrigal

Dan

Janina Gavankar

Angela

Jeremy Radin

Father Mark Whelan

Brandon Wilson

Brandon

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The Way Back: Trailer 2

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The Way Back: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Jack Cunningham was a high school basketball superstar who suddenly walked away from the game for unknown reasons. Years later, he's now stuck in a meaningless job and struggling with alcoholism -- the very thing that ruined his marriage and his hope for a better life. But Jack soon gets a shot at redemption when he becomes the basketball coach for his alma mater, a program that has fallen on hard times since his teenage glory days.

Director: Gavin O'Connor
Producer: Gordon Gray, Jennifer Todd, Gavin O'Connor, Ravi Mehta
Screenwriter: Brad Ingelsby
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: BRON Studios, Mayhem Pictures, Creative Wealth Media Finance
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language Throughout)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 6, 2020, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 6, 2020
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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