Standout: The Ben Kjar Story (2025) Slamdance 2025

Cutting to the chase this is one of the early great films of 2025 that is certain to be on  my end of the year lists.

This is the story of Ben Kjar. He was born with Crouzon Syndrome which made his face and head grow irregularly. It also made him smaller than most people his age growing up. Kjar found joy in sports and his passion in wrestling. Through pigheadedness and endless drive he managed to become the best in the country.

I loved this film. It is a glorious portrait of a young man who didn’t let the world or his medical issue stop him. The result is a tale that earns every tear it produces.

While  the film is mostly structured like a typical documentary, director Tanner Christensen knows it doesn’t matter since the arc of the film is so spectacular and that Ben and his family are so compelling that you don’t need to spruce things up. He just tells the story and let the emotion and connection bleed off the screen.

I can not tell you how moving this film is. If you ever wanted to know why you should never ever give up this story explain why and it  will give you hope. Ben was a tiny guy who never could win, but he had the drive and the will to keep going. As a result of his constant driving forward he gained traction and ended up changing the world of everyone around him.

It is also an very important film about why you should never ever judge a person by how they look because the person you make fun of just may change the world.

This is one of the best films of 2025. I cannot recommend it enough.

And bring tissues.