Michael Fassbender & Taika Waititi’s Underrated Sports Movie Scores on Hulu Today
Michael Fassbender and Taika Waititi’s underrated sports comedy movie officially joins Hulu’s streaming library today. The Academy Award winner Waititi directed and co-wrote the film with Iain Morris.
Next Goal Wins arrives on Hulu today. The story follows the American Samoa national soccer team, which becomes infamous after a disastrous 31-0 loss to Australia in2001. The management then hires a new soccer coach, Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), to turn the team around. Initially fed up with the players’ lack of skill, Rongen changes his training approach and begins to understand and value his players. With new qualifiers approaching, Rongen must get himself and the team back to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
The movie also stars Kaimana as Jaiyah Saelua and Oscar Kightley as Tavita. Other supporting roles include David Fane, Beulah Koale, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss. Waititi also makes a small on-screen cameo in the film as a priest.
Searchlight Pictures released the film in US theaters on November 17, 2023. Based on the 2014 documentary of the same name by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, the film had a modest run at the box office. According to The Numbers, the movie garnered a total of $18 million worldwide for a $10 million production budget.
It didn’t score a goal with critics, as the film currently has a 46% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, audiences gave it an 85% score. The audience score suggests Next Goal Wins may attract viewers looking for a light sports comedy to put on between games over the weekend.
What other movies is Taika Waititi known for besides Next Goal Wins?
Director Taika Waititi has a diverse catalog to his name. His films span across indies, superheroes, and award-winning blockbusters. The New Zealand filmmaker earned an Oscar for his 2019 film Jojo Rabbit, a satirical comedy-drama set during World War II. The movie received six nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards.
Waititi also directed Thor: Ragnarok, one of the most acclaimed entries in the MCU. The film completely reinvented the hero’s tone, status, and humor. He then went on to direct Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022 before Next Goal Wins.
His other notable titles include Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows.