Next Goal Wins

Using the familiar tropes of the feelgood sports film, Next Goal Wins gently challenges Western social priorities, and affirms gender nonconformity, from a Pasifika perspective.

American Samoa coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) talks with faʻafafine player Jaiyah Saelua (Kaimana) in Next Goal Wins (Searchlight Pictures).

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This post is part of the ‘One Take’ weekly series analysing the politics of a film currently showing at the cinemas.

Content warnings: Alcohol; transphobia.

Note: Given that, at time of writing, Next Goal Wins is still showing in UK cinemas, this analysis only lays out as much of the film’s scenario as is necessary so as to avoid spoilers. It is therefore suitable to be read either before or after watching the film, while hopefully still enriching the viewer’s appreciation of it either way.