GOAT Movie’s “Powerful” Hidden Deeper Meaning Explained By Gabrielle Union & Director

by

The new animated sports movie GOAT carries a powerful message beyond just competition.

GOAT tells the story of a young goat who gets the incredible opportunity to play roarball – a fast-paced, made-up sport – alongside professional animal athletes. Star Gabrielle Union and director Tyree Dillihay explain that the film explores what young athletes look up to in their heroes and how sports can change what society expects.

In a conversation with Ash Crossan from ScreenRant for GOAT, Gabrielle Union and director Dillihay discussed the significance of a scene early in the film. In that moment, young Will (Caleb McLaughlin) calls his hero, Jett (Union), “the GOAT.” They explained this scene was meant to show a boy admiring a female athlete. Union related it to her own children and the experience of being a sports fan, saying:

It’s huge. My 7-year-old daughter absolutely idolizes Angel Reese – she’s her biggest hero! I’ve seen it firsthand at Sky games, with tons of kids, both boys and girls, wearing her shoes and shirts. They all want to be just like her, and it’s wonderful to see how much she inspires them.

Union further said the film brings that reality to the big screen:

We rarely see boys admiring female role models, especially in movies and TV. This film challenges the idea that heroes always have to fit a certain mold. It suggests that heroes can be found in unexpected places and come in all types – even those who don’t seem like typical heroes.

A USC study on inclusion reveals that women continue to fill only about a third of speaking roles in major movies. Recent films like Him and The Boys in the Boat, and sports movies such as Coach Carter and Hustle (which features a sport similar to the fictional ‘roarball’), predominantly focus on male athletes and coaches. Movies centered around women athletes are still uncommon.

Director Dillihay explained that the film deliberately showed men and women as equally matched in strength, reflecting what’s often seen in nature. He believes this sends a strong message, allowing boys and girls to admire each other’s athletic abilities, which is a key part of sports, particularly in the WNBA.

I’ve been watching women’s basketball grow, and it’s amazing. When the WNBA started around ’95 or ’96, young girls had different heroes – players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Now, they’re looking up to stars like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, and we really wanted to showcase those new role models in our film. It’s a perfect time to do it, because women’s basketball has become so popular over the last five years.

I’ve dedicated seven and a half years to this project, and we really understand what the world wants. Everything is coming together at the right time, and I’m confident it’s going to have a huge impact.

Sports movies frequently inspire young people, and the athletes they portray can shape how children envision their own futures. With women’s sports gaining more attention – as seen in shows and movies like Ted Lasso and GOAT – there’s increasing conversation about what qualities define a hero and who can embody that role.

The new film GOAT received positive reviews and stands out among recent releases, giving its message a wide potential audience. The filmmakers, Union and Dillihay, aren’t aiming to present a revolutionary idea, but rather one that feels relatable and ordinary. As they explained in a recent interview, they hope viewers – particularly younger ones – will see themselves reflected in the film and embrace its fresh take on animation.

GOAT is now in theaters.

Read More

2026-02-13 23:32