Rez Ball Movie Review: Basketball, Grief, and Navajo Pride Shine in This Drama

Rez Ball, directed by Sydney Freeland and co-written by Freeland and Sterlin Harjo, takes audiences deep into the heart of New Mexico’s Navajo Nation. The film follows a high school basketball team, the Chuska Warriors, navigating the challenges of competing for the state championship. Along the way, they not only face the pressures of the game but also the heavy weight of personal loss and cultural expectations.

Inspired by the book Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation by Michael Powell, the film offers a blend of sports action and heartfelt drama, exploring themes of resilience and community through the lens of Native American life.

From the beginning, the film sets itself apart from typical sports dramas. It doesn’t just focus on the highs and lows of the game but delves deep into the emotional journey of its characters.

The tragic death of star player Nataanii (Kusem Goodwind) sends shockwaves through the team, and the story soon shifts to his best friend, Jimmy (Kauchani Bratt), who is left to pick up the pieces on and off the court. While basketball serves as the backdrop, Rez Ball excels in portraying the struggles of living on a reservation and the unique challenges faced by Native American youth.

Disclaimer: This article includes spoilers from Rez Ball and reflects the writer's opinion.

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Rez Ball explores a different kind of sports drama

At its core, Rez Ball is not just about basketball. While there are the usual beats of a sports movie, the team coming together after a series of losses, moments of triumph, and failure, the real focus is on the characters and their personal journeys. Jimmy, dealing with the loss of his best friend Nataanii, struggles to find his place as a leader on the team.

His home life adds to his burden, with his mother battling alcoholism and financial difficulties. Yet, amidst all this, Jimmy's journey is one of self-discovery and resilience.

Freeland and Harjo's script skillfully avoids dwelling too long on the sports aspect, often speeding through game scenes to focus more on what those moments mean to the characters. This unique approach gives the film a fresh perspective, as it chooses not to build its tension through nail-biting matches but through the emotional growth of its characters.

By shifting the emphasis away from the games, the film allows the audience to see the strength of community, culture, and personal perseverance.

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Rez Ball's impact

One of the film's most important aspects is how it handles grief and loss. Nataanii’s death by suicide, while tragic, has not lingered for long. Instead, it sets the stage for the emotional struggles faced by those left behind. Jimmy, in particular, is heavily impacted. His grief is palpable but is woven into his character's growth rather than dominating the film. This is where Rez Ball shines the balance between loss and hope.

The coach, Heather (played by Jessica Matten), also plays a crucial role in guiding the team through this period of uncertainty. Her leadership is more about teaching life lessons than just winning games. She uses the Navajo language to inspire the team, and her connection to the reservation's culture helps the players find strength in their identity.

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Rez Ball embraces culture and identity

One of the standout elements of Rez Ball is its celebration of local culture. The team uses the Navajo language during games, and the film highlights the importance of tradition and community. This cultural pride is seen in small but significant ways, such as Jimmy's growing understanding of his heritage. With the help of his coworker Krista (Zoey Reyes), who teaches him Navajo, Jimmy learns that his cultural identity is not a burden but a source of strength.

The reservation is portrayed as a place of hardship and a home full of possibilities and beauty. Jimmy’s initial desire to escape mirrors Nataanii’s, but as the story progresses, he begins to appreciate the community around him. This shift in perspective adds depth to his character and reinforces the film's message about embracing who you are, even when the world around you feels confining.

While Rez Ball follows many of the traditional tropes of sports films, it sets itself apart by not making basketball the center of its universe. Instead, the film reflects life on the Navajo reservation, its struggles, triumphs, and, above all, its enduring sense of community.

The film’s ability to weave themes of grief, identity, and culture into a familiar sports narrative makes it a compelling and thoughtful piece of storytelling.

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Rez Ball is much more than a typical underdog sports movie. It’s a touching exploration of how personal loss, cultural pride, and the power of community can shape the lives of young athletes. Interested viewers can watch the movie on Netflix.