The Turnaround (film)

The Turnaround is a 2024 American documentary short film directed by Kyle Thrash and co-directed Ben Proudfoot. It follows Jon McCann, a Phillies fan known as "The Philly Captain," who rallied support for struggling shortstop Trea Turner in 2023. The film explores mental health, community, and sports fan culture.

Plot

The Turnaround centers on Jon McCann, a Philadelphia native from Bridesburg, who faces mental health challenges. As "The Philly Captain," he encourages Phillies fans to support Trea Turner during a tough 2023 season, leading to a standing ovation at Citizens Bank Park that impacts Turner’s performance and the team’s season. The film connects McCann’s upbringing with teenage parents in tough economic conditions to themes of community and resilience, using archival footage to depict Philadelphia’s critical fanbase.

Cast

• Jon McCann as Himself
• Stewie the Dog as Himself
• Trea Turner as Himself (archive footage)
• J.D. Drew as Himself (archive footage)
• Alex Rodriguez as Himself (archive footage)

Luke the Usher (himself)

Production

Directed by Kyle Thrash (The Sentence of Michael Thompson) and co-directed Ben Proudfoot (The Queen of Basketball), the film was inspired by Turner’s viral ovation. It was produced by Proudfoot, Nicholas Ruff, and Josh Rosenberg. Executive producers included Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, through their production company Higher Ground, along with Vinnie Malhotra, Ethan Lewis, Kyle Thrash, Jake Bloch, Rebecca Covington, Mark Rooks, and Nick Trotta. Edited by Dillon M. Hayes, with cinematography by David Bolen and music by Ari Balouzian, it was shot in Philadelphia with archival footage of players like Turner, Drew, and Rodriguez.

Release

The film premiered at Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2024, as one of three short films in the main program. Acquired by Netflix, it was released on October 18, 2024.

Reception

Variety described it as a project that “tells the story of Philadelphia Phillies’ superfan Jon McCann, who helped inspire an unlikely 2023 standing ovation for Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, which helped turned the team around”. Deadline called it “a remarkable story from the sporting world that suggests Philadelphia, indeed, deserves to be called the City of Brotherly Love”.

Accolades

References

External links