Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kissing, drinking in heartfelt tween grief-basketball drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Last Shot
What's the Story?
In LAST SHOT, after the unexpected death of his father (Michael Rapaport), 12-year-old Caden (Dylan Friedman)—a talented basketball player—must move in with his estranged mother, Lexi (Jaime Pressly), in Nashville. From there, he'll have to navigate his way through grief, identity, and second chances.
Is It Any Good?
This earnest, heartfelt drama offers to sit with tweens through the harsh realities of grief, offering sincere understanding and a warm, comforting embrace. While the basketball scenes in Last Shot have plenty of cringey tween moves, off the court it's endearing to see the film focus less on winning and more on bringing the grief journey to life with authentic performances and an emotional intensity that's as complex as the story.
Former NBA player Baron Davis is compelling as a coach/mentor, and Pressly is convincing in her (perhaps slightly stereotypical) rich-but-detached-mom role, owning Lexi's faults as she puts in the effort to rebuild and recategorize what's important in life. Ultimately, this engaging coming-of-age story drives home its deep messages that are likely to resonate with kids and teens in the tough moments, and that can be very hard to do.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why they think the folks who made Last Shot chose to set their coming-of-age journey within the context of basketball. Does it present winning as important—or something else?
What do you think the movie wants to tell viewers about grief, loss, and healing? How does Caden's grief compare to his mom's? Did these portrayals seem real to you? Why, or why not?
What does the movie have to say about being a "good" athlete and teammate? What pressures does Caden experience on the court? When is pressure good encouragement, and when can it become harmful? What responsibilities do parents and coaches have when a child is talented?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 2, 2026
- Cast : Jaime Pressly , Michael Rapaport , Baron Davis
- Director : Andy Palmer
- Studio : Hemlock Circle Productions
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Moms , Single Parents ) , Sports ( Basketball )
- Character Strengths : Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 13, 2026
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