Hustle
Stream
After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down on his luck basketball scout takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team's approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.
What critics thought
Hustle earns wide approval mostly on the strength of Adam Sandler's performance, which critics found genuinely moving rather than merely charming — a reminder that he can disappear into a role when he chooses. The divide sits squarely in the screenplay: enthusiasts were willing to forgive its formula, while skeptics felt the script never bothered to build real characters around its likable lead.
“It's always a slam dunk when Adam Sandler drops his doofus routine and really acts. And here, as a basketball scout who yearns to coach, he infuses every frame of this formulaic crowd-pleaser with a real-deal love of the game.”
Peter Travers·ABC News
“plays Stanley with an inner sadness, a blend of weariness and resilience, and a stubborn faith in the game that leaves you moved, stoked, and utterly convinced”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“struggle to develop their characters”
Robert Daniels·Polygon
“There aren't really any characters, it's kind of remarkable. It's a film that doesn't even rely on archetypes, it simply populates the screen with people, some of whom occasionally say things.”
Nina Metz·Chicago Tribune
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Sport
Cast & Crew
Jeremiah ZagarDirector
Adam SandlerStanley Sugerman
Queen LatifahTeresa Sugerman
Juancho HernangómezBo Cruz
Ben FosterVince Merrick
Kenny SmithLeon
Anthony EdwardsKermit Wilts
Robert DuvallRex Merrick
Jordan HullAlex Sugerman
María BottoPaola
Raúl CastilloOscar Morales
Heidi GardnerKat Merrick
Dan DeaconComposer
Will FettersWriterHustle
After discovering a once-in-a-lifetime player with a rocky past abroad, a down on his luck basketball scout takes it upon himself to bring the phenom to the States without his team's approval. Against the odds, they have one final shot to prove they have what it takes to make it in the NBA.
What critics thought
Hustle earns wide approval mostly on the strength of Adam Sandler's performance, which critics found genuinely moving rather than merely charming — a reminder that he can disappear into a role when he chooses. The divide sits squarely in the screenplay: enthusiasts were willing to forgive its formula, while skeptics felt the script never bothered to build real characters around its likable lead.
“It's always a slam dunk when Adam Sandler drops his doofus routine and really acts. And here, as a basketball scout who yearns to coach, he infuses every frame of this formulaic crowd-pleaser with a real-deal love of the game.”
Peter Travers·ABC News
“plays Stanley with an inner sadness, a blend of weariness and resilience, and a stubborn faith in the game that leaves you moved, stoked, and utterly convinced”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“struggle to develop their characters”
Robert Daniels·Polygon
“There aren't really any characters, it's kind of remarkable. It's a film that doesn't even rely on archetypes, it simply populates the screen with people, some of whom occasionally say things.”
Nina Metz·Chicago Tribune
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Sport
Cast & Crew
Jeremiah ZagarDirectorAdam SandlerStanley SugermanQueen LatifahTeresa SugermanJuancho HernangómezBo CruzBen FosterVince MerrickKenny SmithLeonAnthony EdwardsKermit WiltsRobert DuvallRex MerrickJordan HullAlex SugermanMaría BottoPaolaRaúl CastilloOscar MoralesHeidi GardnerKat MerrickDan DeaconComposerWill FettersWriterStream