Rez Ball – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Rez Ball

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Underdog basketball meets authentic Native American culture in this 2024 Netflix sports drama that actually has something to say.

94%

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Rez Ball

movie

PG-13, 2024

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Underdog basketball meets authentic Native American culture in this 2024 Netflix sports drama that actually has something to say.

94%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what happens when you take a sports movie formula and actually care about the people in it. Rez Ball isn't reinventing the wheel—you know the beats, you know the arc—but it brings genuine cultural authenticity and emotional depth that critics rightly praised.

The 94% RT score isn't inflated diversity points; it's recognition that centering Native American characters in a mainstream sports drama is both overdue and well-executed here. Your teen gets a legitimately entertaining basketball movie AND meaningful exposure to a community they probably don't see represented often.

The grief element is real—a teen dies, and the team processes that loss throughout—so this isn't for younger kids or anyone not ready for heavier emotional content. But for 13+, especially those interested in sports, social issues, or just good character drama, this delivers. It's 2024, it's watchable, and it has something to say beyond "try hard and win."

Age Fit

Best for 13+ who can handle grief themes and are interested in either basketball or character-driven drama. The cultural lens makes it compelling even for non-sports fans, but the emotional maturity required rules out younger viewers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Strong themes of teamwork, perseverance, and cultural pride after losing a star player. Models cooperation and community support through basketball. The emotional tone centers on grief and resilience, handled with care. Pacing is sports-movie standard—intense game sequences balanced with character moments.

Imaginative

Follows familiar underdog sports movie beats but brings fresh perspective through Native American cultural lens and reservation setting—not often seen in mainstream sports films. More execution-focused than conceptually innovative, but the cultural specificity adds meaningful originality to a well-worn genre.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 13+, suggesting some mature themes around loss/grief (the star player's death drives the plot). No indication of graphic violence, sexual content, or gore based on ratings and synopsis. The emotional weight of dealing with death and likely some language typical of teen sports dramas keeps this from being fully safe for younger viewers, but it's predictable content for the genre.

Enriching

Exceptionally strong on cultural representation and empathy-building—centers Native American characters and community in an authentic way (94% RT critic score suggests thoughtful execution). Explores grief, teamwork, cultural identity, and perseverance. Teaches about reservation life and Native culture while delivering sports movie lessons about dedication and unity. High entertainment value for sports fans.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Rare and authentic representation of Native American teens and reservation life—not a token character, the whole community
Classic sports movie beats done well: teamwork, overcoming adversity, championship dreams, but with cultural depth that elevates it beyond formula
Critics loved it (94% RT)—suggests thoughtful, respectful handling of both the basketball and the cultural elements
Explores grief and loss in an age-appropriate way that can open real conversations about processing difficult emotions
Basketball scenes are legitimately entertaining for sports fans while non-sports fans get compelling character drama

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What to Watch For

The inciting incident is the death of the star player—this isn't shown graphically but drives the emotional core, so be ready for grief themes
Likely some strong language typical of teen sports dramas (though specifics aren't confirmed)
Best for kids who can handle emotional weight—this isn't a light, fun sports romp but a more serious coming-of-age story
At 13+, younger sports fans might be disappointed it's not more accessible

Conversation Starters

"What did you notice about how the team dealt with losing their friend? What helped them keep going?"
"This movie shows a side of Native American life we don't see much in movies—what surprised you or what did you learn?"
"Have you ever had to step up when someone important wasn't there anymore? What was that like?"
"The team's culture and identity seemed really important to them—how does that compare to teams you've been on or know about?"

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