In what seems to be an increasingly underwhelming pattern, Taika Waititi’s latest feature, “Next Goal Wins,” muddles through a narrative that grasps at straws to celebrate the underdog spirit of the American Samoa football team. Adapted from a documentary bearing the same title, Waititi’s interpretation strips away the raw emotional potential of the story. Instead, the film presents audiences with a Dutch coach’s tepid journey amidst the backdrop of the American Samoa team’s World Cup qualifying aspirations, without truly delving into the players’ lives or the cultural richness they embody.
As the team, notoriously known for a historic 31-0 loss to Australia in 2001, dreams of scoring a single goal in international play, Michael Fassbender’s character Thomas Rongen lands on the island’s shores. A jaded Dutch-American coach, Rongen receives the task of transforming what is considered the lowest-ranking team in the world. From his arrival, the film touches upon the problematic trope of the ‘white savior’ without offering meaningful commentary or character depth, an early indication of the screenplay’s forthcoming shortcomings.
The narrative promptly reveals Rongen’s brusque demeanor and lack of regard for his players, dubbing them losers without the slightest effort to understand or connect with them. This disheartening approach shadows the script’s own treatment of the players, whose stories and traditions are overshadowed by their coach’s indifferent attitude.
A scene that poignantly illustrates this disconnect involves the team taking a break for prayer during training, which leads to Rongen’s dramatic resignation. However, his resignation is short-lived when he’s reminded by Federation president Tavita, portrayed by Oscar Kightely, that their customs are integral to their identity — a compelling moment that the film fails to harness fully.
While sports dramas have often hinged on the personal triumphs of individual players, intertwining these with the team’s collective success, “Next Goal Wins” omits such character journeys. Even when the American Samoa team achieves a milestone by winning its first World Cup qualifier against Tonga, the depiction feels hollow and emotionally distant. The exception to the film’s otherwise narrow scope is the inclusion of Jaiyah Saelua, played by Kaimana, a transgender player who made history in World Cup qualifying. Yet, the film only seems to scratch the surface of her story and largely when it intersects with Rongen’s narrative arc.
The film, which spans just over 90 minutes, surprisingly squanders the time to explore the rich cultural tapestry of American Samoa or the deep personal stories of why the sport matters so much to its team members. This tepid storytelling renders the players’ poised moments of bravery and resilience as mere footnotes. Consequently, what could have been a moving celebration of an underdog’s struggle becomes more of a lukewarm chronicle of Rongen’s personal growth journey.
Throughout “Next Goal Wins”, there is an apparent heavy reliance on caricaturized interpretations of the local culture, peppered with misfit jokes, which only serves to detract from the power and poignancy the real story holds. It’s a narrative that leans heavily on the extraordinary nature of its source material but fails to provide the emotional gravitas or cultural respect that the team and their dreams rightly deserve.
As the film finds its way into theaters, one wonders whether the missed opportunities to delve into the essence of the American Samoan players and their community will resonate with audiences. Perhaps the biggest loss is not on the field, but in the missed chance to authentically portray a story of resilience, culture, and the raw beauty of chasing a seemingly impossible dream. “Next Goal Wins” settles for less, and in doing so, loses much of the inspirational spirit it seeks to capture.
