Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Underdog sports comedy-drama has language, some transphobia.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Next Goal Wins
What's the Story?
In NEXT GOAL WINS, Dutch-American soccer coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is tasked with managing the American Samoan national team. But with a devastating 31-0 defeat to Australia still fresh in the memory, Rongen has his work cut out to get his new team to score a goal, let alone win a game.
Is It Any Good?
Sports fans, and soccer fans in particular, may be familiar with the American Samoan's national team's humbling 31-0 defeat to Australia in 2001. Taika Waititi's Next Goal Wins takes the aftermath of this monstering and creates a feel-good, if unremarkable, film about the team's quest for redemption. Waititi directed, co-wrote, and even pops up as an American Samoan priest, and the movie is peppered with with sporadic surreal moments that have become something of the filmmaker's calling card. Top billing is given to Fassbender, whose Coach Rongen is a difficult character to warm to, at least initially. Quick to anger and with little patience for his team of underdogs, his transphobia toward third-gender character Jaiyah early on in the film grates and his redemption arc feels a little too sympathetic. However, the film avoids any "White Savior" narrative, with Waititi championing the team's own cultural identity as their key to success rather than any brilliant tactics by their "Palagi" or White coach. At a modest 103 minutes, the film never feels like a chore, but it's also unlikely to warrant any repeat viewing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the positive messages in Next Goal Wins. What did the film have to say about overcoming the odds? What character strengths did the team have to show to achieve their goals? Can you think of a time when you've shown these traits?
The film features a fa'afafine character (someone who identifies as having a third gender or non-binary role). How was Jaiyah treated by different people? Why does representation matter in media?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain kind of language expected in a movie like this?
Did you think any of the characters drank too much? Were there consequences to their drinking? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 17, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : January 6, 2024
- Cast : Michael Fassbender
- Director : Taika Waititi
- Inclusion Information : Indigenous Movie Director(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Director(s) , Indigenous Movie Writer(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong language and crude material
- Last updated : July 24, 2024
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