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'Backspot,' queer romance, and the realities of cheer

WAMU 88.5 | By Avery Jessa Chapnick
Published June 10, 2024 at 7:50 AM CDT
Devery Jacobs stars as Riley, a teenager struggling with the anxiety and stress of making it on the elite squad, in Backspot
Devery Jacobs stars as Riley, a teenager struggling with the anxiety and stress of making it on the elite squad, in Backspot

The teen cheerleading movie was a cliche of the early 2000s.The cheerleader trope was so familiar that it was lampooned in the satirical, “Not Another Teen Movie.” 

Fast forward two decades to 2024: high school cheer is back in a new film. 

“Backspot,” in theaters and streaming now, has all the competitive spirit, drama – and injury – you might expect.The movie also has queer romance, and two women of color as leads. 

We talk about the film.

Copyright 2024 WAMU 88.5

Avery Jessa Chapnick