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Rez Ball

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Rez Ball PG-13 2024 1h 51m Drama Sports Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In the heart of Chuska, New Mexico, the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team rich in Native American heritage, face their greatest challenge. After the loss of their star player, the team must unite like never before to keep their dreams of a state championship alive. This is more than just a game; it's a journey of resilience and unity, a true underdog story deeply rooted in Native American culture.
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Rez Ball

Rez Ball

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Critics Consensus

Putting an Indigenous spin on the classic sports movie formula, Rez Ball dominates the court with its authentic feel for culture and setting.

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Critics Reviews

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Laya Lee Chicago Reader 10/03/2024
Rez Ball memorializes the heart it takes to chase your dreams. Go to Full Review
Nicolas Rapold New York Times 09/27/2024
The movie tends to race through actual game play — though the actors at least can handle the ball — and so the film’s strength lies more in the players’ easy rapport and the New Mexico location shooting. Go to Full Review
Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News 09/25/2024
3/4
Director and co-screenwriter Sydney Freeland keeps the story feeling real as Jimmy overcomes adversity and sees hope in the game on the court and in his own life. Go to Full Review
Louis Skye (Ronita Roy Mohan) Women Write About Comics Aug 20
Rez Ball hit all the right notes for me, and while it didn’t subvert my expectations for a sports film; by dint of it being a story about Rez ball, not just basketball, the film brought in a unique perspective that made me fall in love with it. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr Podcast Apr 8
3/5
A familiar, albeit welcome entry into the underdog sports canon. The film's characters are slight and the conflict is easily overcome, which makes the nearly 2 hr runtime draggy, but the bits on Navajo language are superb. Go to Full Review
Vicci Ho Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) Jan 15
While it is possible to see the potential for a more original and complex film in Rez Ball, what we have is still a perfectly entertaining film fronted by a strong Native American cast. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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SDSF 09/23/2024 Excellent movie! Fantastic acting! A must see for all. See more Tobias K @Tobiassssssss Oct 12 At its heart, this evolves like a regular sports drama with an underdog going for the win. Some elements in the third act can feel a bit rushed. What makes it stand out are the stellar indigenous cast and cool visual ideas thanks to solid photography. See more Aug 24 Es una buena película, habla de como el deporte transforma a las comunidades como hay quienes logran vivir de practicar un deporte, quienes se pierden en el camino desviándose y quienes tienen la oportunidad ya sea de trabajar o seguir estudiando para tener un trabajo mejor remunerado, es cruda pero se siente no tan ficticia aunque creo que sí es ficción por lo que entendí no está basada en un hecho real. See more Wayne M Apr 29 Rez Ball is an interesting and mostly entertaining film. It feels authentic, but is let down by a fairly standard and predictable story that keeps it from soaring. The film is the story of a high school basketball team in New Mexico. They have talent but aren't fairing well in their new season, despite the return of their star player from injury. They have to oversome personal tragedy early in their season as well. But they don't play well together. After a long losing streak, they finally start to pull together. Perhaps their goal of winning a state title is still in reach. The cast are nearly all Native American and they do a reasonale job without being stellar. An enjoyable film, but not one that feels unique enough. See more Torin F @nonlinearize Mar 13 REZ BALL employs a familiar sports movie formula to create a dynamic, entertaining and heartfelt portrait of indigenous life that is elevated by place-based details and a very talented cast. See more SkyRo P @TheMovieSearch Feb 15 Rez Ball is an entertaining movie centered around the game of basketball that I had the pleasure of watching with my son. Released in 2024, the film features a cast of relatively unknown actors, bringing fresh faces to the screen. The movie is a delightful experience, skillfully directed with a vibrant energy and a solid script. It not only captures the team's quest to succeed but also delves into the personal struggles of each character, allowing viewers to connect with them on a deeper level. Regarding the screenplay, I found it to be well-crafted overall, though there were a few instances where certain scenes could have been tweaked for clarity or impact. Nonetheless, the film remains an enjoyable journey, perfect for a casual rewatch. While it may not be a film you'd rush to see repeatedly, it certainly offers enough charm to make a return visit worthwhile. My son genuinely loved the movie, which speaks volumes coming from a child who typically prefers animated features or superhero flicks. His enthusiasm for Rezz Ball highlights its appeal beyond the typical genre expectations. See more Read all reviews
Rez Ball

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the heart of Chuska, New Mexico, the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team rich in Native American heritage, face their greatest challenge. After the loss of their star player, the team must unite like never before to keep their dreams of a state championship alive. This is more than just a game; it's a journey of resilience and unity, a true underdog story deeply rooted in Native American culture.
Director
Sydney Freeland
Producer
Spencer Beighley, Wayne Carmona, Katie Elmore, Jamal Henderson, LeBron James, Maurício Mota, Nancy Utley
Screenwriter
Sydney Freeland, Sterlin Harjo
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
The SpringHill Company, Wise Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment, Lake Ellyn Entertainment
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama, Sports
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 13, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 27, 2024
Runtime
1h 51m
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