Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tense, ambitious cheer film tackles mature themes; language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Backspot
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BACKSPOT tells the story of teen Riley (Devery Jacobs) and her girlfriend, Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo), who are both selected for the all-star cheerleading squad just weeks before competition. Struggling with her own ambition, crippling anxiety, and a demanding coach (Evan Rachel Wood), Riley must find a way to hold herself together for the team—or her whole world will tumble to the ground.
Is It Any Good?
It's an ambitious display of athleticism under pressure, and the question is: How can you not cheer for this movie's passionate and heartfelt story? This queer coming-of-age cheerleading drama is a viscerally dynamic teen sports film that tackles complex themes of mental health, relationships, and ambition with a healthier perspective than many previous movies about cheerleading. It also dives into the seriousness of the continuing struggles that the sport faces when it comes to stereotypes, feminism, and acceptance. All of this, along with the winning combination of Jacobs' sincere performance and an earnest script, makes D.W. Waterson's directorial debut shine. It's definitely not just another cheerleader film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Backspot's focus on the ambition and athleticism of cheerleading. Do you think the movie does a good job highlighting the physical and mental challenges of cheerleading?
How do you feel about the way that the film depicts anxiety? Can you relate to what Riley is going through? Do you think the coping mechanisms featured in the movie are realistic and helpful?
What challenges does the sport of cheerleading face? Do you think it can overcome years of stigma and stereotypes? Why, or why not?
Is there a healthy way to deal with ambition under pressure? How do you cope under pressure?
How does the film depict teen drinking and drug use? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 31, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2024
- Cast : Devery Jacobs , Evan Rachel Wood , Kudakwashe Rutendo
- Director : D.W. Waterson
- Inclusion Information : Non-Binary Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s) , Non-Binary Movie Writer(s) , Queer Movie Writer(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : XYZ Films
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 24, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate