Eagles star Saquon Barkley announces Amazon Prime documentary ahead of NFL season opener

For the first time, fans will be able to see Saquon's life on and off the field in a documentary film directed by David E. Talbert, who has released his share of blockbusters such as ‘Think Like a Man’ and ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

’ Saquon announced on the eve of the Philadelphia Eagles' season opener. Titled ‘Saquon,’ the film also features legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese serving as executive producer, and is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, October 9, coinciding with an equally significant Thursday Night Football matchup in which the Eagles face Barkley’s former team, the New York Giants.

Inside the story of Saquon Barkley

Saquon follows Barkley through his last five years, promising a candid and introspective view of some of the most important events in his life, at least based on press releases and the film's trailer.

Fans will witness both the messy contract negotiations with the Giants and the shocking turn that followed, including signing the dotted line for the Eagles and winning a Super Bowl that solidified his legacy. But they'll also see his recovery from ACL surgery.

The movie goes far beyond stats and plays of the Eagles' star. The story also dives deep into the personal side of the athlete: his relationships, his role as a father and partner, and the emotional process he describes as both “a diary” and “therapy.” Barkley’s voice rings throughout: “It’s been a five-year journey. I’ve been using this as my diary, as my therapy,” he says in the teaser. The press release adds, “The heart of this film beats strongest away from the stadium, where Saquon’s identity as a father, husband, and friend reveals a man whose priorities transcend yardage and contracts.”

Also Read: Saquon Barkley credits Christianity for unlocking the best year of his NFL career

The significance of timing and storytelling

The release of the movie isn't just a clever option; it's a strategic option. Throw in the fact that it'll also mark the night Barkley returns to MetLife Stadium to play his former team, and you have a serious narrative juggernaut. Not by coincidence, of course, considering the superstructure of a whole day of Barkley content afterward, moving the spectacle beyond the gridiron.Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a little pedigree; Martin Scorsese executive produces.

Scorsese is obviously a cinematic master, and his presence bodes well for a documentary that will delve deeper than the average sports narrative.

Barkley is following in the footsteps of Eagles legend Jason Kelce, as Kelce's own version of this film premiered on Prime Video in September 2023. In Saquon, fans are getting a storyline that mixes athletic excellence, personal redemption, and big-screen drama in one package.