Title DossierComedy

Next Goal Wins

ComedyDramaSport

The story of the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0.

Year

2023

Duration

1h 44m

IMDb

6.5

Poster Feed

Cast

Taika Waititi

Director

Michael Fassbender

Thomas Rongen

Oscar Kightley

Tavita

Cast

Taika Waititi

Director

Michael Fassbender

Thomas Rongen

Oscar Kightley

Tavita

Kaimana

Jaiyah

David Fane

Ace

Rachel House

Ruth

Beulah Koale

Daru

Taika Waititi

American Samoan Priest

Will Arnett

Alex Magnussen

Elisabeth Moss

Gail

Uli Latukefu

Nicky Salapu

Sisa Grey

Convenient Store Cashier

SF

Semu Filipo

Rambo

Chris Alosio

Jonah

Lehi Makisi Falepapalangi

Pisa

Ioane Goodhue

Smiley

Hio Pelesasa

Samson

Wil Kahele

'Who's on the Plane' Reporter

Rhys Darby

Rhys Marlin

Taika Waititi

Writer

IM

Iain Morris

Writer

Trailer

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Comments

10 Comments

Raguel WingsJul 23, 2025

a Tongan here 🤣🤣🤣. I didn't even know Tonga even had a chance in soccer like ever 🤣🤣🤣... but this movie made it seem like we had a little skill for soccer at all... I thought America Samoa was always pro and Tonga was always trash😅... well we are now but it's surprising to know we had some skills what so ever in that sport 🤣🤣🤣... great movie, amazing cast hhh... tokouso 💪💪💪💪 🇼🇸 🇹🇴 🇦🇸

Ajishir♥️Feb 27, 2024

I'm really struggling to get started on this review as I'm not sure what to say. I guess my feeling is that "Next Goal Wins" is a worthy story, but as a comedy it's lacking and tonally it's a bit all over the place. Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) is a volatile Dutch coach, who is brought in by the American Samoa National Football Team to manage their qualification campaign for the 2014 World Cup. American Samoa was the lowest ranked nation in all of International Football and made headlines around the world for a 31 - 0 defeat to Australia some decades previously. Rongen doesn't particularly want the job but is convinced by his estranged wife to take it on, as his anger issues and poor recent record rule him out of higher profile jobs. Again, it's tonally where "Next Goal Wins" really struggles. Waititi himself takes on the role of the narrator, in the form of a religious leader on the island who explains that this is a 'sort of' true story. For me though, the comedy and the truth, rather than complimenting they crash into each other. There's a fact about Rongen's personal life, which explains much about where he is, that I've left out of the summation to avoid spoilers - though if you can't work out what it is, before it's revealed in the film, I don't hold out much hope for you. That truth though is weighed up against a comedy scene when a potential player is knocked down (and presumably killed?) by a bus. Great as though Fassbender is in general, it's hard not to think he's a bit lost in this, like the rest of the film struggling to weigh reality to comedy. Also, and I'm not sure I'm really going to be able to explain why, the film doesn't look good. It looks like a low budget film, and I'm sure next to "Ragnarök" say, it was, but to say that American Samoa might be a idyllic island paradise it looks washed out and unspectacular. All that said, I didn't hate it. There are some charming and occasionally amusing moments - but it all feels a bit forced.

RiriFeb 23, 2024

The original documentary is beautiful story about passion, believing in yourself ,and how life give you chances in the weirdest of places and times for you to have a second opportunity. It also shows how sport, in this case football can spark passion and hope even in the tiniest of nations. But Waititi takes all this away, this is a movie without a soul for the sake of making silly, easy jokes. I will never understand why some directors decide to make silly changes to what really happened of how it really happened to allegedly make it more dramatic or cinematic, when in reality they just take away the core of the story.

RedOneJan 27, 2024

I saw Next Goal Wins, starring Michael Fassbender-the X_Men movies, Jonah Hex; Elisabeth Moss-The Handmaid's Tale, The Invisible Man_2020; Will Arnett-Arrested Development_tv, Jonah Hex and Beulah Koale-Hawaii Five_O_tv, Thank You For Your Service. This movie is based on a true story and is written & directed by Taika Waititi, who also has a cameo as a Samoan Priest in the film. This is a feel good movie about some underdogs finding their inner strength and purpose. The Samoan soccer team had a terrible game record. In a game against Australia, they had the worst loss in World Cup history-they lost 31 to 0 in 2001. Michael plays Thomas Rongen, a soccer coach that has a temper and is being punished by becoming the new coach for the Samoan team. The team owner tells Michael that he would be happy if the team could just score 1 goal. Elisabeth plays Michael's wife and Will is one of the bosses on the soccer commission that sends Michael to Samoa. Beulah is one of the Samoan soccer players and the Samoan team had one of the first transgender players on their team. If you stay until after the end credits, there is a scene with Taika. Overall, it's a heartwarming family friendly film that you should enjoy, if your are a sports fan. It's rated PG-13 for language, alcohol use and drug use and has a running time of 1 hour & 43 minutes. I'm not a sports fan, so I wouldn't buy it on DVD. But if you are, it would be a good one to stream.

محمد النعمي 😎Jan 24, 2024

'Next Goal Wins' is Taika Waititi's 8th film as director, and is another heartfelt little comedy gem, much more similar to 'Boy' and 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' than his other films. It's based on a true story, after the Socceroos beat American Samoa 31-0 in a World Cup Qualifier in 2001. The 'boss' of American Samoa Football, Tavita (Kightley) then hires semi-disgraced coach Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) to try to help them to score just one goal. Thomas doesn't necessarily want to be there and the reasons for his anger are slowly revealed over the course of the film. The other main character who has a nice journey is Jaiyah (Kaimana), which is portrayed very well. Sadly it was filmed in Hawaii - not American Samoa or Tonga, but still looks great and gives it a tropical Polynesian vibe. Most of the film follows common misfits-to-sporting-heroes tropes, but is still based in reality - i.e. The team doesn't go on to win the World Cup or anything! Good support cast, with Waititi favourites Rachel House & Rhys Daby present and small roles for Will Arnett & Elizabeth Moss, and the over-zealous Australians, Angus Sampson & Luke Hemsworth. The soundtrack is good, and the portrayal of American Samoan culture is done well, particularly the pre-match war dances. The pacing is also good, with it not being too long, and there's a nice balance between jokes and some of the touching/character-building moments. It's nice to see Thomas come around and the positivity and happiness all the American Samoans show him and each other. The final game is well-edited and exciting, a fitting finish.

Poco_leeJan 23, 2024

Next Goal Wins (2023) directed by Taika Waititi It takes a special talent to make me give up on a movie within 5 minutes of watching, especially when it's a movie I was excited to see and has an excellent lead actor. Taika Waititi managed to do just that. With awful makeup, dumb dialog and awful acting (especially Waititi himself). I understand it's a comedy and it doesn't take itself seriously but I can't believe Taika Waititi isn't ashamed of his product. This comes from a guy who won an Oscar, directed a blockbuster and made a classic ("What We Do in the Shadows"). Shame. 1.5/10 Garbage.

AminataJan 19, 2024

I never much research for this real story of which this movie is based on, it was after that. But I'm glad I didn't cause sometimes it's fun to be surprised. The team are fun to watch, and all have a great fun amount of chemistry. Michael Fassbender also brings a joy has the new soccer coach, who must help the team from the losing streak, and also really clicks with the team. I enjoyed the country setting , and how they live. The soccer scenes are good and exciting. Performances are terrific, feeling the humor and drama of it all. If you are looking for a fun sports film, or if your a big soccer fan, then give this film a try.

Mofe DuncanJan 18, 2024

source: Next Goal Wins

هند البلوشيJan 17, 2024

One of the worst movies I have ever seen, at the same level with "Jaws the Revenge" or "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". The material certainly lent itself for plenty of humor and this type of story has been made by Hollywood enough times to know what works and what doesn't, but nothing about this movie works or rings true, none of the jokes are funny, none of the dialogue makes sense or is of any interest. Obviously filmed in Hawaii (as opposed to American Samoa, where the story takes place) and all through its duration I couldn't help but wonder that whoever wrote it probably did so in a couple of hours (tops!) during the flight there. It's hard to fully convey how much I hated this movie. This is the kind of theater going experience that makes you regret having spent your money instead of simply staying home and streamed something.

Ali algmatyJan 17, 2024

A U. S. mainlander is hired to coach a soccer team in a far-off land. The coach is separated from his wife, but still loves her. He's a total misfit in a foreign culture and everybody thinks he's going to fail. No, this isn't the Ted Lasso movie, it's Next Goal Wins, which is based on a true story. A hotheaded mainlander is hired to coach the pathetic American Samoa national soccer team that has never even scored a goal in international competition. Culture clashes ensue as the coach tries to whip the team into shape for a match three weeks away. The humor is goofy and the ending is totally predictable, but that's okay. If you need a feel-good break from today's dark and dreary movies, go see Next Goal Wins.