Whether you call it soccer or football, “Next Goal Wins” may just be the trailer you need right now. Directed by Oscar winner Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit,” “Thor: Love and Thunder”) from a script he co-wrote with Iain Morris. It stars Waititi, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby.
According to the trailer, “Next Goal Wins” is inspired by a true story that pretty much happened. The film tells the story of the American Samoa soccer team. A team that became infamous in real life for its brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001.
The trailer follows a down-on-his-luck, maverick Dutch-American coach named Thomas Rongen (Fassbender) as he is fired from a coaching job to the South Pacific. He is given the option to be jobless or to coach the struggling team. Once he takes the job and flies out there he discovers the team hasn’t “scored one goal in the history of our country trying to have a soccer team.” But is assured that “Things are going to change.”
We then get the standard training montage you’d expect from any movie about sports ball. But in this case, it is with a team that has “zero talent or understanding of the game.” This leads to copious amounts of alcohol being consumed by Rongen. Who locals declare “has the toughest job on the island.” All of this is set to the tune of ABBA’s hit “Take a Chance on Me,” which is almost too on the nose.
“Next Goal Wins” is produced by Waititi, Joanthan Cavendish, Garrett Basch, Mike Brett, and Scott Jamison.
The feel-good comedy from Searchlight Pictures and 20th Century Studios opens in theaters on November 17. But we’ll keep you posted on updates about the project as they develop. Check out the trailer below:
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