Candace Joseph

This movie was a strange and unsettling commentary on toxic masculinity as it relates to pro sports, specifically football. (Black) Football players seem to be simultaneously worshipped, fetishized, exploited, commodified and dehumanized, hence the parallel made with Roman gladiators. The themes of worship and sacrifice tied into the the spirituality of the film where devotion to the team was akin to being part of a cult/religion hence the movie title. I also wonder if Cade was supposed to resemble the late Aaron Hernandez who also had a brain injury.