The Way Back
Seen it?2020 | 108 min | Drama
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Creed III or The Hurricane, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
A former basketball all-star, who has lost his wife and family foundation in a struggle with addiction, attempts to regain his soul and salvation by becoming the coach of a disparate ethnically mixed high school basketball team at his alma mater.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$25 million worldwide on a $23 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 165K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Creed III
Saturday SpecialAnother sports drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Hurricane Saturday SpecialAnother sports drama, and a Saturday Special.
Radio
Weeknight WatchAnother sports drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Friday Night Lights Saturday SpecialAnother sports drama, and a Saturday Special.
Any Given Sunday Weeknight WatchAnother sports drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Gavin O'Connor
- Ben AffleckJack Cunningham
- Al MadrigalDan
- Michaela WatkinsBeth
- Janina GavankarAngela
- Glynn TurmanDoc
- Melvin GreggMarcus Parrish
- Brandon WilsonBrandon Durrett
- Will RoppKenny Dawes
- Fernando Luis VegaSam Garcia
- Charles Lott, Jr.Chubbs Hendricks