Disney+ Hilarious Sports Comedy By Beloved Director
By now, you’re almost certainly familiar with the works of celebrated filmmaker Taika Waititi, as the prolific director has become one of the most beloved figures in modern Hollywood. Though Waititi has many irons in the fire, including a forthcoming installment in the Star Wars universe, his latest feature film has gone mysteriously under the radar. The movie, 2023’s Next Goal Wins, is currently streaming on Disney+, for those interested in catching the hilarious sports comedy.
Next Goal Wins
As mentioned, Taika Waititi wrote and directed Next Goal Wins, based on the 2014 documentary film of the same title. The film dramatizes the surreal true story of Thomas Rongen, who successfully led one of the world’s weakest professional soccer teams to victory, eventually earning the team qualification in the FIFA World Cup, much to the shock of sports fans from around the globe.
Rongen is portrayed hilariously by Michael Fassbender in the movie, with performers such as Oscar Kightley, Rachel House, David Fane, Will Arnett, Kaimana, and Mad Men‘s Elisabeth Moss rounding out the cast.
The Strikes
One significant reason why Next Goal Wins may have been overlooked upon release is the unfortunate timing, which saw the movie overshadowed by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
The film, which was shot in 2019, was originally set for an April 2023 release, before being pushed back numerous times due to behind-the-scenes scheduling issues with the studio.
Eventually, Next Goal Wins premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival in September, just a few weeks before the writers strike came to an end.
No Promotion
As a condition of the strikes, none of the leading performers were allowed to promote the film or attend the premiere. Likewise, late night talk shows, where films of this nature would be heavily hyped, were all shut down to respect their writing and performing staffs, leaving Next Goal Wins to premiere to a mild commercial impact.
The film managed to just barely make money, taking in just over $18 million globally, though it failed to make the massive cultural splash that you might expect.
Not Bad, But Not As Good As Waititi’s Other Work
Personally, I feel that Next Goal Wins pales in comparison to some of Taika Waititi‘s earlier work such as Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok, and What We Do In The Shadows.
Still, the film is a perfectly serviceable comedy with a ton of heart, and a few truly excellent training and game montages. Soccer fans will no doubt find plenty to enjoy about the film, as the incredible true story is one of the most fascinating underdog tales in the game’s history.
Stream It Now
GFR SCORE
For those interested in catching Next Goal Wins for the first time, or those simply interested in a rewatch, the comedy is currently streaming on Disney+. Waititi’s star is certainly on pace to keep rising following this film, as he currently holds directing credits on 5 upcoming projects per IMDb. With his untitled Star Wars film still around the corner, now seems like a perfect time to give Next Goal Wins a spin.
