Top 5 Movies for Fans of Rez Ball

Rez Ball is Netflix’s newest sports drama that began streaming on September 27, 2024, following its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2024. Directed by Sydney Freeland and co-written with Sterlin Harjo, the film centers on the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team striving for the state championship while confronting numerous challenges.

This “partially based on true events”narrative transcends typical sports films, as it vividly illustrates the beauty and hardships of life on a Native American reservation, highlighting how external circumstances can hinder greater aspirations. Beyond basketball, the film features a compelling underdog story infused with themes of resilience and unity, deeply rooted in Native American culture and spirit.

Below, discover the top five films to watch for fans of Rez Ball.

Disclaimer: This selection reflects the author’s personal opinions.

Edge of America and Other Movies to Watch if You Enjoy Rez Ball

1) Friday Night Lights (2004)

Friday Night Lights (Image via Universal Pictures)

Based on H.G. Bissinger’s non-fiction work, this American sports drama features the struggling, football-obsessed town of Odessa, Texas, and its high school football team, which the community idolizes.

Hope fades when the star tailback suffers an injury in the season opener. Nevertheless, the new coach revitalizes the team’s spirit while also lifting the community’s morale by fostering self-respect and integrity among the players.

Similarly, Friday Night Lights resonates with Rez Ball’s Chuska Warriors, who strive to maintain their aspirations for the championship in the absence of their star player. On September 27, 2024, Rez Ball director Sydney Freeland remarked to Collider:

“The initial concept of the film, we always talked about it as sort of Friday Night Lights with basketball and Natives. That’s the brief summary of it.”

2) Crooked Arrows (2012)

Crooked Arrows (Image via 20th Century Fox)

This sports drama directed by Steve Rash follows a mismatched Native American lacrosse team that faces off against a more skilled and well-trained team from a prestigious prep school.

The plot delves into the life of the team’s mixed-blood Native American coach, who seeks to modernize his community while proving himself to his father, the tribal chairman.

The underdog narrative in Crooked Arrows, highlighting themes of Native American identity and community struggles, parallels the storyline of Rez Ball. The film features performances by Brandon Routh and Gil Birmingham.

3) Tiger Eyes (2012)

Tiger Eyes (Image via Belladonna Productions)

Based on Judy Blume’s 1981 young adult novel, this family drama follows a 17-year-old girl who relocates to Los Alamos, New Mexico, after her father’s tragic death during a robbery. As she grapples with her grief, she encounters a Native American boy who helps her find the strength to move forward.

Tiger Eyes shares thematic similarities with Rez Ball, as both narratives explore the aftermath of personal loss and the importance of reconnecting with one’s heritage. Willa Holland portrays the teenage Davey.

4) Edge of America (2004)

Directed by Chris Eyre, this drama tells the true story of a Black teacher taking a position at the Three Nations Reservation High School in Utah, where he teaches English.

Initially reluctant, he eventually agrees to coach the school’s girls’ basketball team. The film explores cultural clashes between him and his students while addressing complex themes of race, akin to the dynamics presented in Rez Ball.

5) Indian Horse (2017)

Indian Horse (Image via Devonshire Productions)

This poignant sports drama tells the story of a Native Canadian facing racism while attending a residential school. Despite the challenges, he is a gifted hockey player determined to forge his own path through the sport he loves while battling stereotypes and addiction.

The film adaptation of Richard Wagamese’s novel mirrors the Chuska Warriors’ passion for their sport and the broader themes of oppression seen in Rez Ball. Ajuawak Kapashesit stars as the adult Saul.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights into your favorite movies and TV shows as 2024 unfolds.

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