Taika Waititi's Next Goal Wins To Release In India On This Date

The film titled Next Goal Wins is scheduled to make its debut in Indian theatres on February 2, 2024. The movie, directed by Taika Waititi, renowned for his work on MCU’s Thor: Love And Thunder and war-comedy Jojo Rabbit, initially hit the screens in the United States in November last year. Next Goal Wins’ is a sports comedy-drama adapted from a 2014 documentary of the same name. In the initial documentary directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, the plot shows the transformation of the American Samoan national football team. Originating as the lowest-ranked team globally, they faced a humiliating 31-0 defeat against Australia in a 2001 World Cup qualifier match.

As per the plot of the original documentary, with the new World Cup Qualifiers looming, the team takes the services of an unconventional coach, in the hopes of transforming the world’s worst soccer team.

Under the lens of Taika Waititi in the 2023 adaptation, the lead role in the film is played by Michael Fassbender, who portrays Thomas Rongen, the coach tasked with steering the team away from their infamous historical defeat. The focus of the film also shifts towards Jaiyah Saelua, a player who made history as the first transgender player to participate in a World Cup qualifier game.

The plot explores how the connections forged within a team can help individuals to overcome grief and adversity. Apart from Michael Fassbender, the cast ensemble also includes Oscar Kightley, David Fane, Kaimana, Lehi Falepapalangi, Semu Filipo, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Will Arnett, and Elisabeth Moss.

Watch the trailer here:

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The film had its premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, followed by a theatrical release in the US on November 17, last year. The film was also made available for digital purchase on platforms such as Google Play, Amazon, and Apple TV starting Tuesday, January 16, 2024 onwards in selected regions.

Mostly garnering a mixed response from viewers and critics alike, Next Goal Wins had garnered $6.7 million (approx. Rs 56 crore) in the United States and Canada and $10.6 million (approx. Rs 88 crore) in other regions, amassing a total worldwide gross of $17.3 million (approx. Rs 144 crore) by the end of 2023, according to Deadline.

In the United States and Canada, the film faced competition from releases like The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Trolls Band Together, and Thanksgiving. Reviews of the film after its theatrical release in India, are much awaited as the previous films of Taika Waititi have received a positive response from the Indian audience.