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
  • monchet-52590 - 1 May 2024
    Taika does it again!
    A great watch for anyone who loves a good comedy with an emotional story attached.

    A compelling story of how winning isn't always the answer. Taika brings a lighthearted yet emotional view into the story of a failing soccer team and a washed up coach who both find that happiness isn't always what you think.

    Taika brings his signature style of filmaking to the big screen again, by taking a story and giving an excellent balance of humor and emotion that are shown throughout the Film.

    For anyone who loves Taika's works i believe this one ranks as a good example of his individual flair, style, and overall vision as a filmaker.
  • HabibieHakim123 - 31 March 2024
    Despite The Flaws, Next Goal Wins Was Still A Pretty Good Movie And Highly Entertaining Film
    7.5/10 It's one of those movies that in terms of the movie itself it was flaws and not perfect and not like amazing and different, but it's the entertaining value of it that makes me still ended up loving it, and that's basically Next Goal Wins and the better thing is it was overall still a pretty good movie, i guess you kinda always expected more from a Taika Waititi movie especially his filmmaking style, and his decision to not go fully there with Next Goal Wins was pretty disappointing, as i think everybody's agree that even though this film was a true event story, it's still felt like every other sports film, but i think what makes me still really appreciating it is of course the characters, they're are real enjoyable and thoughtful character, and especially Michael Fassbender in which he really did a good job in this one, it's a fast paced entertaining film, Next Goal Wins was an easy one to watch, little bit of heavy serious aspects and surprisingly works, i just have a good time with it mostly, and despite the flaws, Next Goal Wins was still a pretty good movie and highly entertaining film.
  • TomTalksFilms - 6 March 2024
    Infectiously positive
    Next Goal wins was released over Xmas but was unfortunately showing at times I couldn't make at my local cinema. Thanks to Odeon silver screen however I've been able to catch this one on the big screen this week.

    The film is a comedy based on the true story (with embellishments) of the American Samoa football (it's not called soccer) team who were for a long time the lowest ranked international football team. They were so bad in fact they were infamously beaten 31-0 by Australia in 2001. Set around ten years after that match and the team is still going and are still just as bad (if not worse) they have however been able to rope in professional manager Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) with hopes that he will whip them into shape.

    Directed by Taika Waititi who is known for films such as Thor: Ragnarok, that other Thor film, JoJo Rabbit as well as potentially having a threesome with Rita Ora and Tessa Thompson (I would if I was him). This film is very much his brand of comedy, silly slapstick with some cultural upper cuts thrown in for good measure. I personally was surprised with how much I loved Ragnarok being that it's a marvel film and I didn't even mind (googles it) Love and Thunder so on the whole I enjoy his brand of comedy.

    This filmed seemed to me to be split into two parts, a comedy driven first half when the team are awful and a more run of the mill feel good drama in the second half. I'm not sure the film was intended to come across this way but maybe Taika decided to take a break at half time and try some new tactics for the second half. In all seriousness though I did feel the film became less and less funny as it went on but the second half drama whilst run of the mill was still entertaining.

    Something I really didn't expect this film to do was have good trans representation and I feel the need to give it props for that. It deals with some of the pressures a trans person may feel when being in a team of people of the opposite sex. It also deals with some of the prejudices that trans people have to face. As the film is a comedy they could've gone right wing and made it into a joke however props to Taika for handling the subject with respect. I particularly felt this theme stood out as sexuality within men's football has always been a bit of a taboo subject so I'm glad this film tried to bring that issue more to the forefront of people's attention.

    Overall I wouldn't say it's one of Taika's best comedy's but I definitely enjoyed it and left the screening feeling uplifted.