Can Adam Sandler still surprise us? In Hustle (2022), he does, swapping his goofy grin for a weathered scout’s grit, proving he’s more than a punchline. Directed by Jeremiah Zagar, this Netflix gem follows Stanley Sugerman, a Philadelphia 76ers talent scout, as he bets his career on Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangómez), a raw Spanish streetballer with NBA dreams. It’s a story of underdogs, but don’t roll your eyes this one’s got soul, not just sweat.

Zagar’s direction is the film’s heartbeat, blending gritty realism with a love letter to basketball’s grind. His camera dances through street courts and NBA arenas, capturing the sport’s raw physicality think sweat-soaked jerseys and squeaking sneakers without glamorizing it. The training montages, often a sports flick’s crutch, feel urgent, not rote, thanks to Zak Mulligan’s crisp cinematography. Shots of Bo’s relentless drills under Philly’s gray skies hit like a jump shot at the buzzer, grounding the film in a tangible sense of struggle. Yet, Zagar leans too heavily on predictable beats, especially in the final act, where a crowd-pleasing finish feels safe rather than subversive.

Sandler’s performance is a revelation, his best since Uncut Gems. He plays Stanley with a quiet intensity, a man worn by years on the road but fueled by obsession. His chemistry with Hernangómez, a real NBA player turned actor, crackles Stanley’s fatherly mentorship of Bo feels lived-in, not scripted. Hernangómez holds his own, his vulnerability as Bo shining through every missed shot and personal setback. Queen Latifah, as Stanley’s wife, adds warmth, though her role feels undercooked, a missed layup in an otherwise tight ensemble.

Culturally, Hustle resonates in a world craving stories of perseverance. In 2025, with audiences hooked on authentic, character-driven dramas (think Ted Lasso’s enduring appeal), this film’s focus on grit over glory feels timely. It sidesteps the glossy sports fantasy for a grounded tale of second chances, appealing to fans who value heart over hype. Still, the script occasionally stumbles, recycling familiar tropes like the rival jerk (Ben Foster’s one-note villain). But when Sandler and Hernangómez share the screen, you’re all in, rooting for them like it’s game seven.

Hustle isn’t reinventing the playbook, but it’s a vibrant, heartfelt win that proves passion can outshine polish. Watch it, and you’ll believe obsession beats talent every time.[](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hustle_2022)[](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/hustle-movie-review-2022)[](https://collider.com/hustle-movie-review-adam-sandler/)