Backspot

Riley (Devery Jacobs) is a mid-level competitive cheerleader whose life revolves around discipline, perfectionism, and her relationship with her teammate girlfriend, Amanda (Kudakwashe Rutendo). When both girls are selected to join the Thunderhawks—a prestigious, high-stakes all-star cheer squad—Riley's dream of reaching the top tier of the sport becomes reality.

However, stepping onto the elite mat exposes Riley to the relentless, uncompromising demands of head coach Eileen McNamara (Evan Rachel Wood). As the pressure to perform at an elite level escalates ahead of a major competition, Riley suffers severe panic attacks and obsessive anxiety. Pushing her body and mental health past their limits to earn Eileen's approval, Riley faces a precarious balance where a single misstep threatens to derail her athletic career, her health, and her relationship with Amanda.

💡 Did you know?
Elliot Page as Executive Producer: The film was executive produced by Elliot Page through his production company Page Boy Productions, which joined forces with director D.W. Waterson and star Devery Jacobs’ banner Night is Y.

Devery Jacobs Dual Role: Mohawk actress Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs, Echo) not only delivered a powerful lead performance but also served as a primary producer on the project.

TIFF Premiere: Backspot made its world premiere in the Discovery program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to widespread acclaim for treating competitive cheerleading as a brutal, high-impact sport.

Realistic Athletic Performance: Director D. W. Waterson focused heavily on portraying the physical toll, dangerous stunts, and athletic precision required of a "backspot" (the athlete tasked with launching and catching flyers).

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