Fantasy Football

*In this touching and engaging story, we follow the journey of 15-year-old Callie Coleman, played by Marsai Martin, who is the daughter of Bobby Coleman, a former NFL running back whose promising career has been marred by repeated mistakes and frequent team changes. The film begins with a quick montage that vividly illustrates Bobby’s decline, starting from a disastrous debut game to the family’s repeated relocations as his professional struggles continue. Despite the chaos, Callie, a bright and tech-savvy teenager living in Atlanta, has grown accustomed to being the “new kid” at school. She spends much of her time engrossed in coding, gaming, and exploring her interests, showing a stark contrast to her father’s football dreams. Although she’s supportive of Bobby’s latest attempt to revive his career with the Atlanta Falcons, she mainly focuses on her own passions.

Everything takes a surprising turn when Callie makes a remarkable discovery: a glitch in the latest Madden NFL 23 video game appears to give her real-world control over her dad’s football moves. She tests this theory during a practice and is amazed to witness Bobby perform on the field with a newfound brilliance, mimicking the skills of a star athlete. Realizing the potential of this anomaly, Callie and her friends soon understand that the game’s glitch has somehow synchronized with actual NFL performances, turning what seemed like a fun secret into a powerful tool to help restore Bobby’s legacy.

As Bobby’s gameplay drastically improves, the media catches on, and the Falcons begin to experience a winning streak. Behind the scenes, Callie faces the complex challenge of managing her high school life, friendships, and her secret control over her father’s on-field actions. Her involvement begins to affect their relationship, with Bobby growing increasingly convinced that his success is purely due to his own talent, unaware of his daughter’s involvement. Meanwhile, Callie grapples with the morality of her actions—questioning whether it’s right to manipulate someone else’s success, even if her intentions are good.

The story intensifies as the Falcons reach a critical playoff game, presenting Callie with a heartfelt dilemma: should she continue to control her father’s performance or let him face the game on his own merits? During this pivotal moment, she chooses honesty and reveals the truth, leading to an emotional reconciliation between father and daughter. Bobby learns to believe in himself again, recognizing his true abilities, and Callie gains a deeper understanding of the complexities of success, failure, and family bonds. In the moving climax, they come to appreciate each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities, emerging stronger than before.

Through this journey, Callie blossoms into her own person, stepping out of her father’s shadow. No longer just the girl controlling the game, she begins to envision a future where her talents as a tech wizard can shine independently. This story beautifully explores themes of honesty, family loyalty, and self-belief, illustrating that true success comes from within and that sometimes, the greatest victory is learning to trust oneself and others. The film ultimately celebrates the importance of integrity and the power of family, leaving viewers inspired by the Coleman family’s resilience and newfound harmony.*

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:13