23 BLAST
A moving true story of faith, courage, and friendship.
Should You Watch It?
You should see 23 BLAST if your family wants an uplifting sports story about courage, faith, perseverance, and friendship. The film is very well made, touching, funny, and moving. Its Christian values are clear: Travis holds onto his faith, finds strength in God, and receives steadfast support from his parents and friends.
The content concerns are limited but worth knowing. The film includes five light obscenities and two scenes involving teenage drinking, including drunkenness, though the behavior is not condoned. Younger children may need more parental judgment.
For middle schoolers and up, 23 BLAST is worth the trip.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTravis Freeman and Jerry Baker have been best friends and talented football players since childhood. Travis is a star wide receiver and respected leader, while Jerry struggles to focus on his own gifts.
When an infection causes Travis to go blind, his football dreams appear to be over. But Jerry refuses to give up on him, a mobility coach pushes him forward, and Coach Farris sees a new way Travis might return to the team. Travis must decide whether to take a leap of faith.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means 23 BLAST is a clear winner. It is extremely entertaining and inspiring, with tight writing and direction, funny moments, and intriguing characters.
The veteran cast strengthens the film, including Stephan Lang as Coach Farris and Dylan Baker as Travis’s father. Baker also directs the movie. Together, the performances and focused storytelling make this independent feature charming, touching, and moving.
The Worldview
23 BLAST presents a strong Christian and biblical worldview centered on faith, perseverance, friendship, and courage. Travis holds onto his Christian faith and finds strength in God while facing an apparently impossible obstacle. Prayer and Scripture positively reinforce the story, and an important plot element takes place during a sermon.
The film also exalts loving family support. Travis’s parents stand by him, while his friends refuse to let him give up or become anything less than remarkable. Its central lesson is that faith can lead a person forward even when circumstances seem to remove every familiar path.
The film’s message closely reflects Scripture: “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview extolling faith, perseverance and friendship with many Christian elements including an important plot element taking place during a sermon, with prayer and Scripture positively reinforcing the story; five light obscenities (d*** and h***); some football playing, nothing violent; no sexual content, one kiss between teenagers; upper male nudity; two scenes with teenage drinking, one with drunkenness, though not condoned; no smoking; and, no other immoral content.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Travis faces a life-changing loss and must decide whether to keep moving forward. What does it look like to trust God when you cannot see the way ahead?
2 Corinthians 5:7 · Proverbs 3:5–6Jerry refuses to give up on his friend. How can friendship help someone persevere through a difficult season?
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 · Galatians 6:2Travis’s parents, friends, coach, and mobility coach each support him differently. What kinds of encouragement help people become all God has called them to be?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 · Hebrews 10:24–25The film connects faith with courage and perseverance. How are faith and action meant to work together?
James 2:17 · Hebrews 12:1–2The Final Word
23 BLAST is a charming, inspiring, and strongly Christian sports drama about faith, courage, and friendship. Its minor obscenities and teenage drinking call for discernment, but middle schoolers and older viewers can find much to celebrate. WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
