In the realm of cheerleading movies there’s Bring It On, Sugar & Spice, and everything else. And that’s fine, look, those colorful, spirited, silly movies were a lifetime ago and it’s time for something a bit different. Backspot, D.W. Waterson’s film about the grueling physical and emotional toll that comes with the cheerleading life, hopes to stick the landing with a more serious approach.
Starring Reservation Dogs and Echo breakout Devery Jacobs and Westworld‘s Evan Rachel Wood as a sadistic coach, Backspot resembles the Whiplash of cheerleading movies. Jacobs plays Riley, an ambitious cheerleader who is put through the paces by Wood’s demanding head coach when she joins an all-star cheer squad with her girlfriend.
The film is executive produced by Elliot Page and written by Joanne Sarazen from Waterson’s story. Also in the cast are Kudakwashe Rutendo, Thomas Antony Olajide, Wendy Crewson, and personal favorite Shannyn Sossamon of A Knight’s Tale and The Rules of Attraction.
Here’s the synopsis: An ambitious cheerleader, Riley (Devery Jacobs), faces new adversity, an 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. With a competition looming, Riley must navigate her drive alongside her crippling anxiety, as one wrong move could bring her crashing to the ground.
XYZ Films will release Backspot into theaters on May 31st.
