Apple TV+ has released "The Dink," a new comedy centered on the sport of pickleball, marking one of the first films to focus on the rapidly growing game. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Sean Clements, the film blends humor and heart while exploring the cultural clash between traditional tennis enthusiasts and pickleball players.
The story follows Dusty, portrayed by Jake Johnson, a middle-aged former tennis hopeful whose career was derailed after a wrist injury sustained in a match against tennis star Andy Roddick. Now a coach at a prestigious country club run by his domineering father, Chuck (Ed Harris), Dusty lives in his father’s shadow. Chuck is fiercely protective of tennis and disdainful of pickleball, dismissing it as an inferior sport and a threat to tennis’s legacy.
The club faces internal pressure to convert tennis courts into pickleball courts, leading to a challenge match to determine the future of the sports facilities. Dusty expects to be his father’s champion, but another player is initially chosen. Following an unusual accident, Dusty steps in, only to suffer another wrist injury. His doctor, played by producer Ben Stiller in a cameo, prescribes pickleball as part of his recovery, setting Dusty on a new path with the sport he once scorned.
As Dusty reluctantly embraces pickleball, he forms connections with a group of older players, including Candace (Mary Steenburgen). Their evolving relationship is portrayed with sensitivity and humor, avoiding common clichés despite the significant age difference between actors Johnson (48) and Steenburgen (73). The film also features smaller roles filled by notable comedians such as Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, and Chris Parnell, adding to its comedic texture.
Critics note that while "The Dink" follows a familiar underdog sports narrative—akin to films like "Dodgeball" or "The Cutting Edge"—it distinguishes itself through its quirky characters and a balance between silliness and sincerity. The portrayal of pickleball and its community is generally affectionate, avoiding making the sport or its players mere objects of ridicule.
Some comedic elements land unevenly, with sidekick characters like Aaron Chen’s PJ receiving mixed reactions, yet others praise standout moments and inventive humor, including an unexpected comedic sequence involving minor characters that has been described as a highlight of the year.
"The Dink" arrives at a time when straightforward comedies face challenges in theatrical distribution and audience reach, with many heading directly to streaming platforms. While it may not appeal universally, the film provides a light-hearted, accessible entry point into the world of pickleball and the generational and cultural tensions it has sparked.
Overall, the film offers a playful look at sports rivalry, personal growth, and community, capturing a moment when pickleball is emerging as a competitive and social phenomenon, particularly in the United States, where it boasts an estimated 36 million players. "The Dink" is now available for streaming on Apple TV+.