Goon Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A nice but dim bouncer discovers his talent for hockey fights and punches his way to semi-pro glory, mostly because he’s too polite to do anything else.

🍿 Goon: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Doug’s Discovery

Doug Glatt, a good-natured but dim-witted bouncer, feels like an outcast in his accomplished family. He finds his purpose after a brawl at a hockey game, revealing his surprising talent for fighting. This leads to an unexpected opportunity to join the local minor league hockey team, The Assassins, as an enforcer.

Rise of ‘The Thug’

Doug quickly earns the nickname ‘The Thug’ and gains notoriety for his fighting skills. He’s called up to the Halifax Highlanders to protect their star player, Xavier Laflamme, who’s been struggling since a brutal hit from veteran enforcer Ross Rhea. Doug’s popularity grows, but his success creates tension with Laflamme and concerns from his family.

The Final Showdown

The Highlanders need two wins to secure a playoff spot. After an opposing player injures Laflamme, Doug retaliates, leading to a suspension. A heated exchange with Ross Rhea foreshadows their inevitable clash. The Highlanders face the Shamrocks, with Doug’s future and the team’s playoff hopes on the line.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott): A good-natured but dim-witted bouncer who finds purpose and success as an enforcer for a minor league hockey team.
• Pat (Jay Baruchel): Doug’s foul-mouthed best friend and hockey enthusiast who encourages and supports his career as a goon.
• Eva (Alison Pill): A hockey groupie who becomes Doug’s love interest, drawn to his naive charm and fighting abilities.
• Ross Rhea (Liev Schreiber): A legendary enforcer nearing the end of his career who becomes Doug’s rival and ultimately respects his fighting spirit.
• Xavier LaFlamme (Marc-André Grondin): A talented but fragile hockey player who relies on Doug’s protection to overcome his fear and regain his confidence.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Doug Glatt: “I’m a good guy, I just have a tendency to beat the shit out of people.” – Doug explains his personality, highlighting his gentle nature juxtaposed with his fighting abilities.
• Pat: “Two rules, man: Stay away from my fuckin’ percocets and do you have any fucking percocets, man?” – Pat’s humorous introduction sets the tone for his character’s vulgar and drug-fueled antics.
• Ross Rhea: “You’re a goon. You’re a fucking goon.” – Rhea’s directness and dismissal of Doug’s hockey aspirations highlights the harsh realities of his role.
• Doug Glatt: “I think I nailed him.” – Doug’s simple, understated victory line after defeating Rhea, showcasing his naivety and humbleness.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,168,528
• Worldwide Gross: $6,985,158

💥 Goon Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a dumb comedy, and while it definitely has its moments of raunchy humor, I was surprised by how much heart it had. Seann William Scott is genuinely endearing as Doug Glatt, and I found myself really rooting for him. The fight scenes are brutal but entertaining, and the supporting cast is hilarious. I especially loved the relationship between Doug and his best friend, Pat. Definitely a fun and surprisingly touching sports comedy. One of my favorite scenes is when Doug meets Ross Rhea in the diner; it’s a surprisingly poignant moment between two guys who know their careers are on the line. The ending fight is great, and the way the team rallies around Doug is awesome. Definitely a must-watch for hockey fans or anyone looking for a good laugh.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of sports comedies”
  • “Hockey enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who enjoy crude humor”
  • “Fans of Seann William Scott”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence (hockey fights)”
  • “Strong language and profanity”
  • “Some sexual content and innuendo”
  • “Drug references”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Goon isn’t high art, but it delivers the goods for fans of sports comedies, with a surprisingly sweet story and hilarious performances from Seann William Scott and Jay Baruchel.
• Entertainment Weekly: “The actors attack their parts with gusto, and the film itself has a brash, beer-soaked energy that’s hard to resist. Goon earns its place alongside sports-movie classics.
• The New York Times: “Goon, directed by Michael Dowse from a script co-written by Jay Baruchel, is a hockey comedy that embraces its genre with gusto, delivering the expected laughs and a few unexpected heart-tugging moments.

Audience Reactions

The fight scenes were incredibly realistic and intense.: Fans loved the over-the-top violence combined with the surprisingly sweet story.

Seann William Scott’s performance was a pleasant surprise, showcasing his range as an actor.: Audiences praised Scott’s ability to make Doug Glatt a lovable and sympathetic character.

Overall Consensus: Goon is a surprisingly funny and heartwarming sports comedy that blends brutal hockey action with endearing characters and a sweet story.

Awards

1. Canadian Comedy Award (Best Performance by a Male in a Feature Film)- 2012
2. Canadian Comedy Award (Best Writing in a Feature Film)- 2012

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the book “Goon: The True Story of an Unlikely Journey into Minor League Hockey” by Adam Frattasio and Douglas Smith, and footage from Smith’s actual career is used in the credits.”
• “Jay Baruchel, who plays Pat and co-wrote the screenplay, is a massive hockey fan and brought a lot of authenticity to the hockey culture portrayed in the film.”
• “Many of the fans in the stands during the hockey games are cardboard cutouts, a common cost-saving technique in low-budget sports films.”

🖥️ How to Watch Goon?

Goon is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. For physical media, DVDs and Blu-rays are available for purchase online and in stores like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Goon, you might like these similar films:

• Slap Shot (1977): A classic hockey comedy that also focuses on the more violent and absurd aspects of minor league hockey.
• Youngblood (1986): Focuses on a young player’s journey into the violent world of hockey and his struggle to prove himself.
• Happy Gilmore (1996): Features an unconventional sports hero with anger management issues who finds success in an unlikely sport.
• The Wrestler (2008): While not a comedy, it explores the physical toll and personal sacrifices of a career in a brutal sport.

🛒 Goon Related Products

• Goon (Blu-ray): Own the hilarious and heartwarming sports comedy on Blu-ray, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive interviews.
• Goon: Last of the Enforcers (Blu-ray): Own the sequel to the movie on Blu-ray, continue with Doug Glatt and new challenges to face.
• Halifax Highlanders Jersey: Show your support for Doug Glatt’s team with an authentic Halifax Highlanders hockey jersey.
• Hockey Fight T-Shirt: A humorous T-shirt that is fight inspired.

🎧 Soundtrack

Goon features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Turandot / Act 3: Diecimila Anni Al Nostre Imperatore” – performed by Giacomo Puccini (Performed by Malga Philharmonic Orchestra)
• “Rainshowers” – performed by Dominic Troiano (as Domenic Troiano)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Breaks Down Hockey In Movies | GQ Sports

Get an NHL star’s take on ‘Goon’s hockey scenes – this video offers a fresh perspective on the movie’s depiction of the sport.

Best of Goon Movies | Funniest Moments

Looking for a quick laugh? Check out this compilation of the funniest moments from the ‘Goon’ movies – it’s a great way to relive the movie’s humor.

Early Goon Film Test

Ever wondered what an animated ‘Goon’ movie might have looked like? This video shows an early test animation for a potential animated version.

✨ Rate