Cheerleader Squad Thriller ‘Backspot’ Trailer Feat. Evan Rachel Wood
by Alex Billington
April 19, 2024
Source: YouTube
“This world is not kind to weak people.” XYZ Films has revealed the trailer for a Canadian cheerleading film called Backspot, which plays more a serious drama or intense thriller than a sports comedy or satire. This is similar to that rowing film The Novice a few years ago. This premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival last year and hits US theaters in May. Devery Jacobs (from “Reservation Dogs”) stars as Riley, who is given the chance to cheer with the all-star squad, Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her crippling anxiety, her relationship with her girlfriend, and also her desperate need for approval from her new coach. One positive review states: “You may think you know your sports movie tropes, but you’ve never seen them used quite this way — that is, within a queer cheerleading drama firmly focused on complex female characters — and Waterson’s Backspot delights in skewing such expectations.” Dang, okay! This also stars Evan Rachel Wood as coach, Shannyn Sossamon, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Thomas Antony Olajide, and Wendy Crewson. It’s also executive produced by Elliott Page. Check it out below.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for D.W. Waterson’s Backspot, direct from XYZ’s YouTube:
An ambitious cheerleader, Riley (Devery Jacobs), faces new adversity, her increased drive for perfection and triumph, and a demanding head coach (Evan Rachel Wood) when she and her girlfriend are selected for an all-star cheer squad – called the Thunderhawks. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her drive alongside her crippling anxiety, as one wrong move could bring her crashing to the ground… Backspot is directed by Canadian indie filmmaker D.W. Waterson, making their feature directorial debut after some music videos, short films, and the “That’s My DJ” series previously. The screenplay is written by Joanne Sarazen, from a story by D.W. Waterson. Produced by Devery Jacobs, Martin Katz, Finley MacNeil, Alona Metzer, and D.W. Waterson. This initially premiered at the 2023 Toronto Film Festival last year. XYZ Films will releasee Backspot in theaters nationwide starting May 31st, 2024 this summer. Look any good?
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