Next Goal Wins

Next Goal Wins

Dutch coach Thomas Rongen attempts the nearly impossible task of turning the American Samoa soccer team from perennial losers into winners.

  • Released: 2023-09-22
  • Runtime: 104 minutes
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama
  • Stars: Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Frankie Adams, Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Angus Sampson, Chris Alosio, Sisa Grey, Russell Satele, Kaimana, Semu Filipo, Ioane Goodhue, Taika Waititi, Hio Pelesasa
  • Director: Taika Waititi
 Comments
  • kademan-40962 - 28 April 2024
    Funny sports drama based on a true story
    This movie is a hilarious, heartfelt retelling that promotes kindness, passion and just being a good person in general. Coming from the same mind that brought us Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows. Needless to say, I wasn't too surprised how good this was.

    Knowing very little about the true story as well as the rules of soccer, I went in nervous thinking it was going to make me feel somewhat lost or isolated, and was happy to find out that wouldn't be the case, as it focuses much more on the characters' journeys than the sport itself. That said, the games played, especially near the end, are as tense as you'd expect from any sports film climax. Michael Fassbender proves he's a better actor than people think, even though people already think he's great. The inclusion within the film was handled very fairly and maturely as well.

    Taika Waititi had me worried with his previous run with Marvel, being responsible for the much hated unfunny Thor: Love and Thunder, and there are some jokes that feel like they don't land nearly as well as they should or the writer thought they could. But as a whole the film is very funny.

    Overall, a very wholesome, funny, emotionally driven sports film.
  • Freyakarstein - 30 March 2024
    Great movie
    No complains! The movie does what is expected from it: show the local culture, tell a great story from a native pov and be funny. But Rhys Darby's character deserves better, a total waste with barely two minutes onscreen, but you still can see he was there to make Fassbender's character life a hell on paradise, to balance things.

    I guess white people hate the movie because is not about them, hence the bad reviews, it's a movie they can't easily understand if they don't think beyond white colonization borders. It's okay, one day they will learn no accept that native and poc stories worth to be tell too Great music choices too!
  • martingreen-71835 - 6 March 2024
    Lighthearted fun of all. Just one goal....
    Next Goal Wins is a movie that the whole family can watch together and enjoy.

    It's a feel good movie based on true events, with a little bit of glamour thrown into the mix.

    I was drawn to this movie as I spent a few weeks in Samoa earlier in my life, and quickly grew to love the people, the culture, and their genuine happiness for the simplicity of their lives.

    I was hoping this movie would have touched on this a little more, but there are elements where the viewer gets to learn more about the Samoan culture.

    Samoa is a beautiful place, which you get to see a little throughout the movie.

    But back to the movie, it's fun, touching in places and very heartwarming as you join the Samoan national team on their journey to achieve 'success' in world class football.

    Next Goal Wins is an easy, relaxing and enjoyable movie for all ages, it's not going to challenge you with a complex plot, but a simple goal for a nation, so join in and cheer them along.

    Very enjoyable, and worthy of the good reviews.