Backspot

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2:16

Backspot

Released May 31

1h 32m

Drama

Sports

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

An ambitious cheerleader (Devery Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad and its demanding head coach (Evan Rachel Wood). With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her drive with her crippling anxiety as one wrong move will bring her crashing to the ground.

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Critics Consensus

An outstanding showcase for Devery Jacobs, Backspot is front of the line as an insightful and thrilling sports drama.

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Amy Nicholson

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

Waterson has a really good eye for capturing details for these characters. There are relationships within this film that feel real, and a lot that goes unspoken that feels natural.

Jun 15, 2024

Full Review

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya

Autostraddle

A visceral and dynamic sports film so centered on girlhood in ways that feel exciting and original, but a lot of that work is done by the directing more than the script itself. Regardless, it’s a striking entry into the queerleading canon...

Jun 3, 2024

Full Review

Lisa Kennedy

New York Times

Its early execution strains and wobbles some, but “Backspot” sticks its landing.

May 31, 2024

Full Review

Peter Gray

The AU Review

This is a cautionary tale that warns of the extremes of dedication, whilst proving a love letter to the art of cheerleading and the zeal it requires.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 7, 2024

Full Review

Rubén Rosario

MiamiArtZine

At 93 minutes, it flies by. Your nerves might be more than a bit frazzled by the time it loosens its grip...

Sep 16, 2024

Full Review

Christie Cronan

Common Sense Media

This queer coming-of-age cheerleading drama is a viscerally dynamic teen sports film that tackles complex themes of mental health, relationships, and ambition with a healthier perspective than many previous movies about cheerleading.

Aug 26, 2024

Full Review

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Steve D

Lumbering with a weird documentary like direction that is distracting

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/15/24

Full Review

Paige L

One of the most well made movies and intense viewing experiences I’ve ever witnessed

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/03/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Crazy good film with crazy good acting and crazy good montages.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

Lucas P

Kick ass cheerleading film. A must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

M M

This movie was intense and the subject matter fresh. I enjoyed the story and the characters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

Freya P

I recently just saw a showing of Backspot in theatres and I was kind of shocked on what the plot was. This isn’t your average cheer movie, and it deals with a lot of serious themes like OCD. The cheer shown in the movie is done well, although I wish they would have specified what level their team was. Overall a fairly good movie, but if your expecting a happy and silly movie to take your kids to, I do not recommend😬

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

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D.W. Waterson

Director

Devery Jacobs

Riley

Evan Rachel Wood

Eileen McNamara

Shannyn Sossamon

Tracy

Kudakwashe Rutendo

Amanda

Thomas Antony Olajide

Devon

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Backspot: Trailer 1

2:16

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Synopsis

An ambitious cheerleader (Devery Jacobs) faces both new adversity and the increased drive for perfection and triumph when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad and its demanding head coach (Evan Rachel Wood). With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her drive with her crippling anxiety as one wrong move will bring her crashing to the ground.

Director: D.W. Waterson
Producer: Alona Metzer, D.W. Waterson, Devery Jacobs, Martin Katz
Screenwriter: Joanne Sarazen
Distributor: XYZ Films
Production Co: Téléfilm Canada, Crave, Night Is Y, Pageboy Productions, Prospero Pictures, Ontario Creates
Genre: Drama, Sports
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 31, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 31, 2024
Runtime: 1h 32m

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