Strength, Strategy, and the Will to Win

Read Time:5 Minute, 5 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Standout: The Ben Kjar Story
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Genre: Documentary, Biography, Drama, Sport
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 39m
Director(s): Tanner Christensen
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY takes what could have been a standard underdog narrative and elevates it into something more—something personal, raw, and unexpectedly powerful. Directed by Tanner Christensen, the film follows the life of Ben Kjar, a wrestler born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition that set him apart from the start. From the moment he entered the world, doctors predicted a life full of challenges. Society had its expectations, too, suggesting he’d struggle to fit in and always be defined by his appearance. But Ben had no interest in being represented by anything other than his determination. His journey, filled with battles on and off the mat, becomes the kind that sticks with you.

This isn’t a film that sugarcoats adversity, nor does it wallow in it. Instead, it delivers an engaging and unfiltered look at what it means to take control of your story. The documentary lays bare the struggles Ben faced growing up, from relentless bullying to the emotional toll of being seen as different. But rather than dwelling on hardship, the story focuses on what Ben did with those experiences—how he found purpose through wrestling, using the sport not just as an outlet but as a way to prove, to himself and the world, that he was more than the limits others tried to place on him.

What sets this documentary apart is its ability to capture the intensity of the sport while never losing sight of the emotional connection. Wrestling is woven into the film’s DNA. The matches aren’t there for spectacle; they symbolize every fight he’s had in life, each opponent representing a different challenge, whether doubt, discrimination, or self-acceptance. Every match feels earned, and the energy in these sequences keeps the momentum alive.

Beyond Ben himself, the documentary shines in its portrayal of the people who shaped his journey. His parents, Stana and Scott Kjar, are essential to his story. Rather than sheltering him, they gave him the tools to carve his path, offering support without trying to shield him from reality. Their presence in the film adds depth, highlighting the role of a strong foundation in overcoming adversity. Including fellow wrestler Anthony Robles adds another intriguing aspect to the film, emphasizing the camaraderie among athletes who refuse to be defined by limitations.

One of the most effective choices is casting young actor Colton Fielding, who also has Crouzon Syndrome, to portray a younger version of Ben. This decision makes the reenactments feel authentic, not just visually but emotionally. Seeing a real child step into these moments adds weight to the film’s message about visibility and representation. This small but significant detail reinforces the film’s commitment to telling this story.

Among the film’s most unforgettable moments is a flashback to a childhood experience that shaped Ben’s understanding of the world. A seemingly ordinary shopping trip turned into a painful realization when a father pulled his children away upon seeing young Ben. That moment is burned into his memory and recreated in a way that doesn’t just tell the audience about his past but makes them feel it. It’s not just about the cruelty of that moment—it’s about the accumulation of experiences like that, shaping how someone views themselves. But the film doesn’t leave it there. Instead, it shows how Ben turned pain into motivation, how his mother’s words—"You’re different, and you’re going to make a difference"—became something to hold onto rather than run from.

The film never loses sight of its central message: It is about agency, choosing how you define yourself instead of letting the world decide for you. As the film debuted at Slamdance, it couldn’t have found a more fitting stage. The festival is known for spotlighting independent voices, and this story is all about someone who refuses to be overlooked. It’s a reminder that true strength is about resilience, about choosing to stand out rather than blend in.

At its core, this isn’t just a film about wrestling, nor is it just about overcoming obstacles. It’s about rewriting expectations, pushing past the limits placed on you, and proving that sometimes, the greatest victories happen long before you step onto the mat. Ben Kjar’s story is unforgettable because of what he’s accomplished and what it says about the human spirit. His journey doesn’t just inspire—it challenges. And that’s what makes this film stand out.

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[photo courtesy of REMEMBER FILMS, THE VISUAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY]

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