Ms. Emanuelle's performance as Mo is certainly spectacular, but I don't think I've seen better screen acting in 2018 than Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's work as Darrel.

Given a handful of fine performances, it's pretty easy to overlook the familiarity of the sports-drama beats to come.

[Newman] tells an unvarnished story that grapples with the complexity of father-daughter relationships and the desperation of feeling like you have no choices.

First Match is a confident, sensitive debut in a gritty, real milieu that’s worth seeking out.