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Sports drama

Rez Ball (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Rez Ball (2024) movie poster

Rez Ball is a 2024 sports drama directed by Sydney Freeland, starring Ryan Begay as Ronald Jackson, Julia Jones and Kauchani Bratt. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Critics gave it 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Echo Score
69
Metascore
69
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Rez Ball (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Sydney Freeland
Genres
Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rez Ball About?

The premise of Rez Ball without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Set in rural New Mexico, the Chuska Warriors basketball team strives for a state championship while navigating significant challenges. After losing their star player, these young Native American athletes must confront personal obstacles and come together to pursue their dream. Their journey highlights the importance of resilience, community, and the passion for basketball.

Rez Ball Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • native american
  • basketball
  • high school
  • teenage boy
  • young boy
  • new mexico
  • coming of age
  • school
  • child
  • underdog
  • ball
  • arena
+38 more
  • coming of age drama
  • basketball sport
  • teenage girl
  • young girl
  • teenager
  • young
  • basketball player
  • basketball team
  • four aces
  • loss of sister
  • reference to gatorade
  • title spoken in dialogue
  • reference to t mobile
  • open casket
  • suicide
  • 18 year old man
  • hangover
  • tattoo on face
  • cistern
  • sheep
  • arrest
  • reference to kobe bryant
  • reference to nicolas cage
  • teenage parents
  • hired for a job
  • reference to batman and robin
  • applying for a job
  • buzzer beater
  • alcoholics anonymous
  • arrest warrant
  • reference to the wnba
  • slam dunk
  • jail
  • hungover
  • funeral
  • mural
  • indian reservation
  • highschool basketball
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Cast & crew

Rez Ball Cast & Characters

Ryan Begay leads the cast as Ronald Jackson, with Julia Jones as Gloria Holiday and Kauchani Bratt as Jimmy Holiday. Directed by Sydney Freeland; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Rez Ball

· 16 more
From the director

More from Sydney Freeland

More films directed by Sydney Freeland, best-rated first: Deidra & Laney Rob a Train and Drunktown's Finest.

Full filmography
Ratings

Rez Ball Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rez Ball 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (55).

69 /100

Rez Ball Echo Score Breakdown

Rez Ball delivers a moderately engaging underdog narrative anchored by culturally grounded themes. While critics and viewers praised its authentic performances and emotional resonance, many noted the plot’s predictability and occasional dramatic flatness. The film’s brisk pacing and spirited basketball sequences sustain interest, but heavy-handed moments and uneven focus limit its depth. Overall, the blend of inspiration and cliché yields a film that entertains but falls short of lasting distinction.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of visual craftsmanship, Rez Ball delivers serviceable but inconsistent artistry. The brisk direction and vigorous basketball sequences provide dynamic framing, yet sporadic dark lighting and reliance on slow-motion shots undermine visual clarity. Production design evokes the reservation setting authentically, but uneven editing occasionally disrupts cohesion. The overall craft feels functional but not fully realized.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Character and emotional aspects are a highlight for Rez Ball. The cast delivers nuanced performances, particularly in conveying self-determination and community bonds. Authentic acting draws out heartfelt moments, even amid occasional narrative distractions. Chemistry among leads enhances emotional resonance, providing an engaging core that sustains empathy throughout the film’s progression.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of narrative flow, Rez Ball presents an energetic underdog storyline tempered by familiar beats. The pacing remains brisk, and moments of cultural exploration enrich the plot’s setting. However, predictable clichés and uneven focus on subplots occasionally dilute engagement. Ultimately, the story entertains but falls short of offering significant originality.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, Rez Ball offers spirited sound design and an energetic soundtrack that complement the action. Visual style captures the reservation’s atmosphere but is occasionally undercut by dim lighting choices. The editing rhythm supports the basketball sequences’ momentum, though inconsistent clarity in darker scenes hampers cohesive immersion. The sensory palette is engaging yet uneven.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch value, Rez Ball delivers modest appeal for subsequent viewings. The inspirational underdog theme and emotional highs retain interest initially, but predictability and heavy-handed moments reduce repeat engagement. While authentic performances and cultural details invite a second viewing, the familiar structure limits lasting appeal. The film rewards fans of sports dramas more than broader audiences.

Plot

Rez Ball Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Rez Ball from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

For the first time in several years, the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team comprised of Native Americans from the Navajo reservation in Chuska, New Mexico, begins their season with an opportunity to compete for the state championship title. This resurgence is notably marked by the return of their former captain, Nataanii Jackson, who had taken a year off after the tragic loss of his mother and sister. In his absence, Jimmy Holiday had taken on the role of captain. Meanwhile, Coach Heather Hobbs faces intense pressure to perform this year, as her position is at stake should the team fail to secure victories.

Full summary

The whole story of Rez Ball, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Rez Ball Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 1 trailer, 6 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Featurette How REZ BALL Will Change The Game | TIFF 2024
  • Featurette Q&A with Jessica Matten, Julia Jones & Sydney Freeland | TIFF 2024
  • Featurette Trash Talk with the Cast of Rez Ball
  • Featurette Why REZ BALL Is More Than Just A Basketball Movie | TIFF 2024
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rez Ball?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who returns as the captain of the Chuska Warriors after taking a year off?

Details

Rez Ball Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Резбол: Баскетбол резервацій” and “เรซบอล”.

Also known as
  • Резбол: Баскетбол резервацій
  • เรซบอล
  • 레즈 볼
  • Guerreiros do Basquete
  • Rez Ball/レズ・ボール
  • 原力篮球魂
  • 原力籃球魂
  • Rezervatski hakl
  • Navajo kosarasok
  • Chuska: Những chiến binh bóng rổ
  • Rezbol
  • كرة سلة المحميات
+4 more
  • Οι Πολεμιστές της Τσούσκα
  • לוחמי השמורה
  • रेज़ बॉल
  • Резбол: баскетбол в резервации

Seen Rez Ball?

FAQ

Rez Ball FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rez Ball, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rez Ball?

Rez Ball runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was Rez Ball released?

Rez Ball was released on September 27, 2024.

Who directed Rez Ball?

Rez Ball was directed by Sydney Freeland.

More films by Sydney Freeland

Who is in the cast of Rez Ball?

Rez Ball stars Ryan Begay as Ronald Jackson, Julia Jones as Gloria Holiday and Kauchani Bratt as Jimmy Holiday, among 20 credited actors.

How is Rez Ball rated?

Rez Ball has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 69 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Rez Ball have a post-credit scene?

No. Rez Ball has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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