Imagine stepping onto a wrestling mat knowing the world sees your face first—and chooses to judge. That was Ben Kjar’s reality every day, yet he turned difference into dominance. Watching Standout, I was moved from heartbreak to pure inspiration, witnessing a man who refused to fade into the background.
Most movie premieres I attend don’t prompt me to write, but this movie is different. This one demanded it. Directed by Tanner Christensen (son of acclaimed Latter-day Saint filmmaker T.C. Christensen, known for 17 Miracles, The Cokeville Miracle, The Fighting Preacher and more), Standout captures Ben’s extraordinary journey of sheer will and determination to achieve seemingly unreachable goals.
I first learned of Ben’s story at our stake’s youth conference last year where he was a guest speaker – and he was definitely a standout in that moment. He has a story to tell and he knows how to deliver it.
As Ben Kjar approached the front of the theater to make some remarks at the conclusion of the movie premiere I thought, “This guy had a movie made about his life. How many people can say that?!”
Over 30 years ago, T.C. Christensen pointed to young Ben and predicted his life would become a movie. I’m glad it was.
A Prophecy Fulfilled
From birth with Crouzon syndrome—a rare craniofacial disorder—doctors warned Ben’s life would be limited by bullying, surgeries, and scrutiny. Yet he craved normalcy. Relentless challenges, including painful procedures and cruel taunts, fueled his fire instead of extinguishing it.
Wrestling became his arena to prove himself. Ben transformed what others saw as weakness into strength. He became Viewmont High School’s first three-time Utah state champion (2000–2002), led his team to their first state title, earned five USA High School national championships, set a school record with 129 wins at Utah Valley University, and became UVU’s first NCAA Division I All-American (4th place in 2011). He even won gold in Greco-Roman and silver in freestyle at the 2023 Veterans World Championships.
From Adversity to Triumph
The film powerfully shows how Ben’s parents raised him with pure love but never coddled him, teaching him resilience even when, as a parent, those lessons were hard to watch. How the film portrays his relationship with his wife—navigating infertility struggles (a pain that resonates deeply with my own family)—and the miraculous ways God intervened added profound moments of joy while watching the film.
I was deeply touched watching alongside Ben’s surgeons, family, friends, and even Elder Gerrit W. Gong of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The theater felt like a celebration of every person who helped shape his story – and it was such an honor to be surrounded by them.
The Film Synopsis from StandoutFilm.com
Standout tells the inspiring story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warned that his life would be dominated by limitations, bullying and harsh scrutiny. Despite that prognosis, Ben yearned for an ordinary life free from judgment and harassment.
However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignited a fire within him. Wrestling became his proving ground, a place where he learned to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushed himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable.
Why This Film Matters
Ben faced a crossroads: blend in or boldly stand out. He chose the latter—and his example inspires us all to push through obstacles. Here’s the official trailer—watch it and feel the impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp5QsPEu2pk
Tickets are selling fast for the theatrical release starting January 23, 2026. Grab yours now at StandoutFilm.com and bring your family. I promise: you’ll leave with a real hero to look to when life feels impossible.
Ben Kjar is that hero.
