Seth Carr
Leo Thompson
Overview
An 11-year-old aspiring wrestler enters a competition to become the next WWE superstar by using special powers from a magical mask.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Mask of Wish-Fulfillment
I’ve seen this movie before. Not The Main Event specifically—though I’ve now seen that too—but the shape of it, the rhythm, the way it moves from underdog setup to triumphant climax with all the predictability of a WWE entrance theme. It’s Like Mike with wrestling instead of basketball, The Mask with a royal blue palette instead of neon green, a story where a kid gets a magical boost and learns that confidence is the real superpower.
The problem isn’t that the film is bad, exactly. It’s that it’s so familiar, so carefully assembled from the parts of other, better wish-fulfillment fantasies, that it feels less like a story and more like a corporate algorithm’s idea of one.
That’s not entirely fair to the filmmakers, I’ll admit. There’s a genuine warmth here, especially in the performances. Seth Carr, as 11-year-old Leo Thompson, has the kind of natural charisma that makes you root for him even when the script is coasting.
He’s not just a kid playing dress-up in a wrestling singlet; there’s a quiet desperation in the way he clutches that magical mask, as if it’s the only thing standing between him and obscurity. (Which, in the film’s logic, it is.) And Tichina Arnold, as his grandmother, steals every scene she’s in—not with the kind of broad comedy you might expect from a character who dreams of becoming a social media influencer, but with a lived-in, lived-through energy that makes her feel like a real person, not a caricature.
But then there’s the mask itself. It’s the film’s central gimmick, the thing that turns Leo from a scrawny kid with a YouTube obsession into a would-be WWE superstar. And yet, for all its narrative importance, it never feels like more than a plot device.
The mask glows, it grants strength, it occasionally makes Leo act like a cocky jerk—standard magical-macguffin stuff. What’s missing is any sense of wonder, any real exploration of what it means for a kid to suddenly have power he didn’t earn. The film treats the mask like a video game cheat code, not a metaphor for the kind of confidence that can feel just as arbitrary in real life.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.2/10
"A lighthearted family comedy with wrestling flair that charms younger audiences but feels too predictable for older viewers."
The movie’s blend of kid-friendly humor and wrestling action resonates well with children and families, offering a fun, if formulaic, underdog story. latestnetflix.com's view is that however, older viewers often find the plot overly simplistic and the humor too broad, with some criticizing the portrayal of wrestling as unrealistic or exaggerated for comedic effect.
What viewers praise
- Kid-friendly appeal Younger audiences enjoy the mix of comedy and wrestling, finding the protagonist relatable and the story engaging.
- Fun wrestling action The wrestling sequences are energetic and entertaining, adding excitement to the film’s family-friendly tone.
- Lighthearted tone The movie’s upbeat and positive vibe makes it an easy watch for families looking for uncomplicated entertainment.
- Strong child performance Seth Carr’s portrayal of the young protagonist is praised for being earnest and likable.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows a well-worn underdog formula, offering few surprises for viewers familiar with the genre.
- Broad humor The comedy is often too simplistic or exaggerated, failing to resonate with older audiences.
- Unrealistic wrestling Some viewers criticize the wrestling scenes as overly choreographed or unrealistic, detracting from the film’s credibility.
- Thin character development Supporting characters, including the adult cast, are underdeveloped and serve primarily as plot devices.
Recommended for
Families with young kids Wrestling fans looking for fun Underdog story lovers Light comedy seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of The Main Event: A Family-Friendly Wrestling Flick with Heart
Netflix’s The Main Event (2020) rolled into the streaming ring with a simple mission: deliver a kid-friendly wrestling comedy that didn’t take itself too seriously. Directed by Jay Karas—best known for his work on TV comedies and stand-up specials—the film stars Seth Carr as Leo, a young wrestling fan who stumbles into a real-life wrestling career after discovering a mysterious mask. latestnetflix.com's view is that with a cast blending sitcom veterans and WWE stars, the movie promised laughs, action, and a dash of underdog charm.But what was the real story behind the scenes?
A Director’s Playbook: Jay Karas’ Comedy Chops
Jay Karas wasn’t a wrestling insider, but he had the comedy chops to pull off The Main Event’s lighthearted tone. With over 130 episodes of scripted TV under his belt—including work on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Goldbergs—Karas was no stranger to balancing humor and heart 
. His resume also includes directing more than 25 stand-up specials, suggesting he knew how to keep the energy high and the pacing tight—key for a film aimed at younger audiences .
While the evidence doesn’t reveal Karas’ specific vision for The Main Event, his background in sitcoms likely influenced the movie’s fast-paced, joke-heavy style. The film’s 101-minute runtime aligns with his experience in television, where brevity is often prized . Whether he leaned into the wrestling spectacle or kept the focus on Leo’s coming-of-age story remains unclear, but his track record suggests a preference for character-driven comedy over over-the-top action.
Seth Carr’s Training Montage: From Kid Actor to Wrestling Hopeful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5SB9JA8kog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cp6V5Es2qE
Twelve-year-old Seth Carr, who played Leo, wasn’t just acting—he was putting in the work. In interviews, Carr revealed he trained extensively for the role, including learning wrestling moves and building stamina . Clips from Netflix’s press junket show him discussing the physical demands of the film, from choreographed fight scenes to the exhaustion of long shoot days . While he didn’t step into a real WWE ring, Carr’s dedication mirrored his character’s journey, adding authenticity to Leo’s underdog arc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awnw5cg6q_Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTtcw5w1prE
His co-star Tichina Arnold, who played Leo’s grandmother, praised Carr’s professionalism, calling him a "little powerhouse" in a joint interview . The duo’s chemistry was a selling point for the film, with Arnold noting how Carr’s energy kept the set lively . Given Arnold’s own sitcom background (Everybody Hates Chris), her endorsement carried weight—suggesting Carr held his own alongside seasoned performers.
Wrestling Stars in a Family Film: A Risky Bet?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAfcdnQ8rgo
The Main Event blended Hollywood actors with real WWE talent, including The Miz (Mike Mizanin), Keith Lee, and Sheamus (Stephen Farrelly). The inclusion of wrestling stars was a gamble—would their larger-than-life personas clash with the film’s family-friendly tone? Early reviews were mixed. SensCritique gave the movie a lukewarm 3.4/10, calling it a "light" entry in the wrestling genre . However, the film’s Netflix debut in April 2020—amid pandemic lockdowns—likely gave it a captive audience of families searching for low-stakes entertainment .
The wrestling stars’ involvement wasn’t just for show. Behind the scenes, they reportedly helped choreograph fight scenes, ensuring the action looked believable without crossing into PG-13 territory [rumor/unconfirmed]. Clips from the press junket show The Miz and Keith Lee playfully ribbing each other, hinting at a camaraderie that may have translated on-screen . Whether their star power elevated the film or simply served as a draw for wrestling fans remains up for debate.
The Verdict: A Fun, If Forgettable, Underdog Story
The Main Event wasn’t aiming for awards season. It was a Netflix original designed to entertain kids and casual viewers—a mission it largely accomplished, if reviews are any indication. The film’s biggest strengths were its brisk pacing, Carr’s earnest performance, and the novelty of seeing WWE stars in a family comedy. Its weaknesses? A predictable plot and a lack of depth that left some critics wanting more .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv1HYAec40w
Behind the scenes, the production seemed smooth, with no major scandals or drama emerging from the evidence. The cast’s interviews paint a picture of a fun, collaborative set, with Arnold and Carr’s rapport stealing the spotlight . Karas’ direction kept the tone light, and the wrestling sequences—while not groundbreaking—delivered enough spectacle to satisfy younger viewers .
Ultimately, The Main Event was a solid, if unremarkable, addition to Netflix’s 2020 lineup. It didn’t reinvent the wrestling genre, but it didn’t need to. For 101 minutes, it offered a simple, feel-good story about a kid chasing his dreams—one suplex at a time.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.