Quick Take: Executive produced by Elliot Page and directed by D.W. Waterson, Backspot is an intense, kinetic Canadian sports drama that brings a Whiplash-esque pressure-cooker tension to competitive cheerleading while grounding itself in a authentic, tender queer romance.
📌 Plot Overview
Riley, a driven midlevel cheerleader whose primary role is a "backspot" (the athlete stationed behind the stunt pyramid who catches and lifts the flyer), dreams of making it to the big leagues. When she and her girlfriend, Amanda, are both selected to join the elite, professional cheer squad Thunderhawks, it feels like the ultimate breakthrough.
However, the transition into elite competition brings crushing psychological strain. Under the unyielding, perfectionist gaze of their hard-nosed coach, Eileen, Riley struggles with mounting anxiety, physical exhaustion, and hair-pulling compulsion (trichotillomania). As pressure builds toward the national championship, Riley must balance her relentless drive to succeed without destroying her mental health or alienating Amanda.
💡 Why It’s Worth Watching
Outstanding Lead Performance by Devery Jacobs: Best known for Reservation Dogs, Mohawk actor Devery Jacobs delivers a powerhouse performance as Riley—capturing both intense athletic physicality and quiet, vulnerable internal panic.
Visceral, Kinetic Direction: Director D.W. Waterson uses sharp editing, booming sound design, and close-up camera work to treat competitive cheerleading with the weight, athleticism, and danger it demands.
Refreshingly Casual Queer Representation: Riley and Amanda’s relationship is portrayed with warmth, intimacy, and mutual support, serving as an emotional anchor amidst the high-pressure environment without relying on coming-out drama.
🏷️ Interactive Tags & Motifs
Genre: Sports Drama / Indigenous Cinema / Queer Romance / Coming-of-Age
Representation & Themes: Lesbian Relationship, Indigenous Lead (Mohawk), Anxiety & Mental Health, Toxic Coaching Dynamics, Competitive Cheerleading
Mood & Tone: Kinetic, Tense, Visceral, Empathetic, High-Energy
Content Warnings: Anxiety attacks, self-harm/hair-pulling depictions, intense verbal pressure
⭐️ Verdict & Final Thoughts
Backspot transforms the world of competitive cheerleading into a gritty, suspenseful character study. Driven by Devery Jacobs' magnetic performance and supported by Evan Rachel Wood's sharp turn as Coach Eileen, it stands out as a vibrant, fresh contribution to contemporary Canadian and Indigenous LGBTQ+ cinema.
📺 Where to Watch
Streaming: Available to stream on CBC Gem (Canada) and Starz / Apple TV Channel (US).
VOD Rentals: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play.
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