Studios: Searchlight Pictures/Imaginarium Productions/TSG Entertainment
Plot: Next Goal Wins follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down on his luck, maverick coach Thomas Rangen hoping he will turn the world's worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Cast
Michael Fassbender - Thomas Rangen
Oscar Kightley - Tavita
Kaimana - Jaiyah
David Fane - Ace
Rachel House - Ruth
Beulah Koala - Daru
Taika Waititi - American Samoan Priest
Will Arnett - Alex Margnussen
Elisabeth Moss - Gail
Uli Latukefu - Nicky Salapu
Chris Alosio - Jonah
Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi - Pisa
Ioane Goodhue - Smiley
Hio Pelesasa - Samson
Rhys Darby - Rhys Martin
Luke Hemsworth - Keith
Angus Sampson - Angus Bendleton
Kaitlyn Dever - Nicole
Writer(s): Taika Waititi (FXs Reservation Dogs; Thor: Love and Thunder)
Iain Morris
Director: Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder)
Rated PG-13 for some strong language and crude material (104 minutes)
Not that long ago, I went down to the theater to catch Next Goal Wins at the local film festival. And just judging by the box office numbers for the film, this film didn't perform well and I was hoping that Next Goal Wins wouldn't be a disappointment ...
Despite it being just like almost any other underdog sports movie and the mixed critical reception the film received, Next Goal Wins is a really decent film. This film delivers a lot of fun moments and there's some really good humor scattered throughout.
There's a bit in the beginning where the coach is getting fired from his current job and the soccer committee is doing some sort of "5 stages of grief" presentation and that scene will really make you laugh. The character, Tavita, the one who hires Rongen as the new coach, can also be hilarious at times and can also steal the show.
This feel-good film also features a few emotional moments that do come out of nowhere but adds a nice touch to the film. Throughout the film, you see the coach listening to a bunch of voicemails from his daughter and it becomes sad once you find out why he keeps listening to the voicemails.
Next Goal Wins is also available on Hulu and for a limited time on Disney Plus.
Here are a few tidbits for Next Goal Wins!
Certain soccer stunt scenes for Kaiyah (Kaimana) were performed by the real life Jaiyah Saeluna herself.
The film, shot in November and December 2019, would've marked Armie Hammer's final role before numerous rape and abuse allegations were made against him, after which Hammer was dropped by his acting agency and publicist. The movie required re-shoots, for which Hammer wasn't available (he stepped down from the spotlight) and Will Arnett replaced him.
It was announced in August 2019 that Fox Searchlight Pictures (now Searchlight) had set up an initially unspecified project that would see Taika Waititi write and direct prior to his Love and Thunder obligations.
The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2023, prior to its commercial release on November 17, 2023. The film was originally set to be released on April 21, 2023, before being postponed to September 22, and then to its actual release date.
Next Goal Wins released for digital platforms on January 16, 2024, and is followed by a Blu-ray/DVD release on February 27; NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU AND DISNEY PLUS (DISNEY PLUS FOR A LIMITED TIME).
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