Safety

Name: Safety
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport
Released: December 11, 2020
Rating: 55
Cast: Amanda Mason Warren, Brad Carter, Corinne Foxx, IronE Singleton, Kurt Yue

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

See All

6.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.3	Your Score
6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Safety (Spot 2)

Now Playing: Safety (Spot 2)

Movie Details & Credits

Disney+ | Release Date (Streaming): December 11, 2020 | PG

Starring: Amanda Mason Warren, Brad Carter, Corinne Foxx, IronE Singleton, Kurt Yue, Luke Tennie, Matthew Glave, Rhoda Griffis, Todd Allen, Tom Nowicki

Summary: The story of Ray-Ray McElrathbey, a freshman football player for Clemson University, who secretly raised his younger brother on campus after his home life became too unsteady.

Director: Reginald Hudlin

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport

Rating: PG

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Kyle Turner

Dec 30, 2020

Hudlin transforms a film that would be, in lesser hands, a formulaic hardship-as-aesthetic drama, into an earnest examination of what community means on the field, in the classroom and in our society. Read full review

Screen Rant Mae Abdulbaki

Dec 30, 2020

Ray still overcomes adversity, but writers Rick Santora and Randy McKinnon sidestep the stereotypes that so often plague sports films to do so, making it one of the better sports films to be released in some time. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Dec 13, 2020

Safety feels like it aims a bit higher than some of the service's fare, and it's good-hearted and uplifting. If you're only going to score a couple of points, right now, that's not a bad place to start. Read full review

Lisa Kennedy

Dec 10, 2020

Although Safety takes its cues from a true story, its beats are comfortingly familiar — or annoyingly so, depending on your fondness for the rhythms of the genre. Read full review

The Film Stage Jared Mobarak

Dec 10, 2020

Hudlin has this thing firing on all cylinders to be the tearjerker, against all odds crowd-pleaser Oprah fans love (the McElrathbey episode plays during the credits). It’s highly effective. Just don’t ignore that it’s also highly manipulated. Read full review

Slashfilm Josh Spiegel

Dec 10, 2020

The title says it all: Safety hits recognizable beats and never really challenges its setup, making for a maddeningly, mystifyingly safe crowd-pleaser. Read full review

IndieWire Steve Greene

Dec 15, 2020

The film that exists may fill in some temporary vacuum in a season without capacity-level crowds on Saturday nights and evenings. But those who want something more may have to wait a little longer. Read full review

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

r96sk

Jan 30, 2021

'Safety' - very good!

Disney enters the sports drama market for what feels like the billionth time, though in fairness they usually nail it - and do the same with this. They've done many better, e.g. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and 'Glory Road', but I very much felt entertained by'Safety' - very good!

Disney enters the sports drama market for what feels like the billionth time, though in fairness they usually nail it - and do the same with this. They've done many better, e.g. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and 'Glory Road', but I very much felt entertained by this.

The cinematography is, truly, excellent - credit to Shane Hurlbut. I also took note of the editing (Terel Gibson), which is particularly neat at the beginning. The plot is compelling and features a lot of heart, it certainly uses the usual Disney/sports biopic beats but there's a lot of goodness in there as well. On this note, it has a decision scene where I half expected Chuck Norris to appear. Iykyk.

I enjoyed the cast. Jay Reeves gives a terrific performance as Ray, while Thaddeus J. Mixson is more than solid as brother Fahmarr. Corinne Foxx (daughter of Jamie), James Badge Dale and, despite only a short appearance, Amanda Warren are also good. Cool, for me anyway, to see 'The Walking Dead' alum IronE Singleton involved.

I'd recommend this, for sure.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

garethvk

Jan 29, 2021

Ray-Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves) is a man with a bright future. He is a gifted athlete who has accepted a Football scholarship to Clemson and is about to take the first steps towards a better future. In the new Disney + film “Safety” Ray-Ray is about to learn how complicated life as aRay-Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves) is a man with a bright future. He is a gifted athlete who has accepted a Football scholarship to Clemson and is about to take the first steps towards a better future. In the new Disney + film “Safety” Ray-Ray is about to learn how complicated life as a student athlete can be.

Based on a true story; Ray-Ray struggles with adapting to the more complex defensive schemes, Freshman hazing, class and practice schedules, and adjusting to his new life. His roommate and teammate Daniel (Hunter Sansone); offers him frequent support as being a low on the depth-chart kicker has taught him a perspective on things.

Ray-Ray meets a lady named Kaycee (Corinne Foxx) and sees his life on campus start to improve until life steps in to further complicate things. His young brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus J. Mixson); has been removed from the care of his mother due to her numerous substance issues. With only his gangster relative available; Ray-Ray agrees to care for his brother rather than turn him over to the Foster systems.

Unfortunately for Ray-Ray; having his brother in the dorm with him is a strict violation and his continued care of his brother and the complications it causes threaten his scholarship and very future.

The film is a very touching and engaging look at the extent a person is willing to go to care for a family member and how the politics of college sports often conflict with what appear to be sensible and worthy actions by players and coaches.

The film does not go overboard with game sequences and there is no big game moment as the focus is on the characters and their relationships. “Safety” is one of the more pleasant surprises of the year and one not to miss.

4 stars out of 5… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Jan 12, 2021

Still under the norm, still basic, still filler. Disney just changed the place to deliver their dumb films.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mauro_Lanari

Dec 15, 2020

(Mauro Lanari)
It would have been decently bearable if Disney hadn't reverted to using the word and concept of family every frame.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS