Back of the Net

Back of the Net

Year: 2024

Runtime: 15 mins

Language: English

Director: Klara Kaliger

Drama

A passionate young footballer faces a difficult choice when her aspirations for a professional career clash with the responsibility of caring for her grandmother. The film explores themes of ambition, family, and sacrifice, and features Emmy-nominee Tom Goodman-Hill. Written by and starring Ella Dorman-Gajic, it was directed by Klara Kaliger and has received multiple awards.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Emotionally light
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Back of the Net yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Back of the Net (2024)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Back of the Net (2024). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer

The events unfold over a summer holiday, aligning with school break and a sprint toward the national competition. The season provides long days of practice, experiments, and late-night problem solving. The timeframe emphasizes energy, growth, and the pressure to prove oneself within a short window.

Location

Los Angeles, Harold Academy, Harold Soccer Academy

Cory lives in Los Angeles and joins the Sea Science program at the Harold Academy, which doubles as the Harold Soccer Academy training center. The film blends a campus-like setting with a coastal research vibe, as labs and practice fields sit side by side. The contrast between urban life and scientific inquiry frames the unique backdrop of the story.

🏙️ City setting 🔬 Science program ⚽ Soccer academy

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:39

Main Characters – Back of the Net (2024)

Meet the key characters of Back of the Net (2024), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cory Bailey

A science-minded student who joins the Harold Academy’s Sea Science program and the Worst of the Best soccer team. She blends curiosity with practical problem-solving, and she learns to push through setbacks to help her team win the national competition.

🎯 Protagonist 🧪 Scientist-in-training

Oliver

The most talented soccer player at the school who forms a connection with Cory through shared science discussions. His confidence masks occasional insecurity, and he grows to value Cory’s scientific approach as part of the team’s success.

⚽ Star player 🤝 Ally

Edie

Oliver’s best friend who becomes jealous of Cory, leading to a prank that tests the group’s dynamics. She ultimately forgives Cory, and their tension evolves into a stronger, more honest friendship.

💢 Rival/jealousy 🫶 Friend

Coach Smith

The Harolds Academy coach overseeing both sports and training; he reveals funding challenges and pushes the team to achieve stellar results. He acts as a facilitator for Cory’s scientific training methods.

🏫 Coach 🧭 Mentor

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:39

Major Themes – Back of the Net (2024)

Explore the central themes of Back of the Net (2024), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💡 Science & Sport

Cory applies scientific methods to training, showing how physics and experimentation can optimize soccer performance. The movie presents a fusion of research and athletics, highlighting how curiosity drives practical improvement. This cross-disciplinary approach reframes sport as a field for inquiry and innovation.

🤝 Friendship & Teamwork

The Worst of the Best team bonds through shared trials, and Cory's presence brings new ideas to the group. Edie's prank and subsequent reconciliation test loyalties, ultimately strengthening trust among teammates. The narrative emphasizes mentorship, cooperation, and mutual support on the road to success.

💪 Resilience

Cory faces setback and doubt, but chooses perseverance over quitting. The team overcomes sponsorship fears and logistical obstacles by adapting training with scientific insight. The climactic win reinforces that resilience, plus creative problem-solving, can turn adversity into triumph.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 09:39

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Hopeful Underdog Sports Movies like Back of the Net

Stories where teamwork and perseverance lead to uplifting personal victories.If you enjoyed the uplifting teamwork and motivational spirit of Back of the Net, explore these movies about underdog athletes and teams. This collection features stories of perseverance, camaraderie, and triumphant sports victories that leave you feeling hopeful.

upliftingunderdogteamworkperseveringmotivationaltriumphantcamaraderie

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist or team facing a significant challenge. Through training, bonding, and overcoming self-doubt, they build skills and cohesion, leading to a climactic event where their efforts are tested, culminating in a satisfying and happy victory that validates their journey.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core配方 of optimism, a steady build-up of team spirit, and a focus on personal achievement through sports. The tone is consistently hopeful, the emotional weight is manageable, and the endings provide a strong sense of fulfillment.

Movies about Brainy Protagonists Finding Their Place like Back of the Net

Character-driven stories where intellect and uniqueness become unexpected strengths.Fans of Back of the Net's story of a science-minded girl using her intellect to help a soccer team will enjoy these movies. This selection highlights cerebral characters who find their community by applying their unique skills in unexpected ways.

cerebralhopefulcoming of agefound familyperseveringself-discoveryintegration

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a smart, perhaps mismatched, character entering a new environment. Their initial struggles give way to a turning point where their analytical skills provide a crucial advantage. This leads to acceptance, integration, and the realization that their different way of thinking is an asset, not a liability.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by a specific character arc: the intelligent outsider. They share a light emotional weight, a hopeful tone, and a focus on self-discovery through the application of logic or knowledge. The pacing is steady, allowing for character development and a satisfying resolution.

Unlock the Full Story of Back of the Net

Don't stop at just watching — explore Back of the Net in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Back of the Net is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Back of the Net Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Back of the Net, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Back of the Net Summary

Back of the Net Timeline

Track the full timeline of Back of the Net with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Back of the Net Timeline

Back of the Net Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Back of the Net that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Back of the Net Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Back of the Net

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Back of the Net: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Back of the Net

Explore More About Movie Back of the Net

Back of the Net (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Back of the Net (2024) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Back of the Net (2024) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow