23 Blast

Play trailer

23 Blast

PG-13

2014

1h 38m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

36%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

As a typical teenager, Travis Freeman is a local hero both on and off the high-school football field in his small Kentucky town, but in 1997, Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. With the loving help and concern of his parents, physical therapist, coach and best friend, Travis demonstrates what true bravery is. He continues to compete on the gridiron and helps his team advance to the state finals.

Critics Consensus

The real life story that inspired 23 Blast is undeniably heartwarming -- but the movie itself is too predictable and amateurish to recommend.

Read Critics Reviews

Jordan Hoffman

Guardian

10/24/2014

2/5

A football field is rectangular, but this movie's is hopelessly square.

Go to Full Review

Bill Edelstein

Variety

10/24/2014

A fairly predictable yarn that's lighthearted and well-acted, if cast mostly with characters that are little more than tackling dummies.

Go to Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

10/23/2014

By-the-numbers inspirational trudgework.

Go to Full Review

Bernard Boo

Way Too Indie

03/22/2019

5/10

23 Blast may not be a good movie, but it's honest about what it is and doesn't pander to wider audiences looking for edginess and cynicism.

Go to Full Review

Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

10/31/2014

Despite some solid performances and gritty game footage, emotionally it falls short of the end zone.

Go to Full Review

Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

10/24/2014

3/5

Inspiring true-life tale about blind football player.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Melinda M

@RT80546238 08/25/2024

This was a compelling story based off the real life of a young man who goes blind. I feel like a few of the negative reviews are because this young nmn had faith in God.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown 02/21/2023

How do you play football after going blind? Not super well, but it's a good story based on a Kentucky football player that eventually went into ministry.

See more

trina f

@TrinaT28 06/04/2022

It's a very inspiring movie. It makes one realize that life can be what we make of it. God always has a plan.

See more

12/16/2019

The main character actually does a decent job acting as a blind person. Has some well known actors that are in this B-movie. Some moments are charming, but some are forced. The movie tends to switch moods and tones inconsistently. Overall a movie that you can enjoy but its takes someone who is fan of sports movies and dramas to love.

See more

corkball

@RT87142816 11/07/2019

Formulaic, predictable feel-good family film. It isn't a great movie, and there won't be any surprises. It is full of spunky, upbeat characters that in many films would be considered annoying. But if you are in the mood for a cornball uplift, this DOES deliver. My wife loved it.

See more

08/14/2019

Great inspiring family fare, wonderful cast, shot in the town where it took place. If it's predictable that the good guys win and a simply told story on a low budget is amateurish, then so be it, IMO it's still worth recommending.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Dylan Baker

Director

Stephen Lang

Coach Farris

Alexa PenaVega

Ashley

Mark Hapka

Travis Freeman

Max Adler

Cameron

Kim Zimmer

Mary Freeman

Crooked Arrows

42%

62%

Crooked Arrows

Watchlist

Trouble With the Curve

51%

66%

Trouble With the Curve

Watchlist

Courageous

43%

86%

Courageous

Watchlist

Black or White

37%

65%

Black or White

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Black or White

Spare Parts

58%

82%

Spare Parts

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Spare Parts

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

As a typical teenager, Travis Freeman is a local hero both on and off the high-school football field in his small Kentucky town, but in 1997, Travis contracts an infection that destroys his optic nerve and renders him blind overnight. With the loving help and concern of his parents, physical therapist, coach and best friend, Travis demonstrates what true bravery is. He continues to compete on the gridiron and helps his team advance to the state finals.

Director: Dylan Baker
Producer: Gary Donatelli, Toni Hoover, Dylan Baker
Screenwriter: Toni Hoover, Bram Hoover
Distributor: Ocean Avenue Entertainment
Production Co: Touchdown Productions, Toy Gun Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Teen Drinking)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $485.1K
Runtime: 1h 38m

Most Popular at Home Now