After 'Jojo Rabbit' And 'Thor: Ragnarok, is 'Next Goal Wins' Taika Waititi's next blockbuster?

Searchlight Pictures’ ‘Next Goal Wins’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, September 10th. Shortly after the premiere, festivalgoers and film connoisseurs started showering praises across social media. The Taika Waititi directorial is led by Michael Fassbender, who is seen playing the legendary American soccer coach Thomas Rongen. 

Director Taika Waititi called the film a "true underdog story" at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sharing his novel experience of directing a sports film, he added, "Normally, you don't see a sports film about winners who keep winning. I never thought I'd make a sports film, especially about a sport I knew nothing about".  To enhance the narration, the Oscar-winning writer/director also admitted to twisting the truth ahead of the Toronto premiere.   

Right after the premiere, several attendees flooded the internet with rave reactions, where some called it a "real crowd-pleaser", and others expressed that the film “ticks all the inspirational sports movie boxes” carrying all the necessary feel-good aspects. A few fans also shared the exhilarating moment when the film received a "big standing ovation" at the festival. 

Next Goal Wins stars Michael Fassbender, Will Arnett, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Kaimana, David Fane, Rachel House, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Semu Filipo, and Lehi Falepapalangi as the main star cast of the film.