Honestly, making a sequel to a cult classic is a death wish. You’re basically asking to get punched in the face by every fan who thinks the original was a masterpiece. When Goon came out in 2011, it was this weird, sweet, foul-mouthed miracle. Nobody expected a movie about a dim-witted bouncer becoming a hockey legend to have that much heart. So, when Goon: Last of the Enforcers finally dropped in 2017, the stakes were weirdly high for a movie about guys hitting each other on ice.
It’s been years since it hit theaters, but the conversation around it hasn’t really died down. People still argue about whether Jay Baruchel—who took over the director's chair for this one—managed to capture lightning in a bottle twice. Some say it's a worthy successor; others think it's just a bloody mess. Let’s get into what really happened with this sequel and why it still matters to anyone who misses the era of the hockey "tough guy."
The Brutal Reality of Doug Glatt’s Return
In the first movie, Doug Glatt (Seann William Scott) was the underdog. In Goon: Last of the Enforcers, he’s the veteran with a target on his back. The story picks up with Doug as the captain of the Halifax Highlanders, which feels right, but things go south fast. He crosses paths with Anders Cain, played by Wyatt Russell, who is basically the "final boss" version of a modern hockey player—athletic, mean, and totally sociopathic.
Cain doesn't just beat Doug; he breaks him. He messes up Doug’s right arm so badly that the doctors say he’s done. This is where the movie gets surprisingly heavy. It’s not just about hockey; it’s about that terrifying moment every athlete faces when their body says "no" but their brain is still screaming "yes."
Doug ends up working a soul-crushing job as an insurance salesman. Seeing "The Thug" in a suit, filing papers in a basement, is genuinely depressing. It’s a smart move by the writers because it raises the stakes. He’s not just fighting for a trophy; he’s fighting against a boring, "normal" life that he’s clearly not built for. Plus, his wife Eva (Alison Pill) is pregnant, so there’s that whole "be a responsible father" pressure hanging over his head.
The Real-Life Inspiration: Doug Smith
You might not know this, but Doug Glatt isn't just a fictional character. He’s heavily based on a guy named Doug Smith. The real Smith didn't even start skating until he was 19. Can you imagine? Most pro players are on the ice before they can talk. Smith was an amateur boxer who realized he could use his fists to get a job in the minor leagues.
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The sequel leans into this "real world" aspect of the enforcer life. It explores the physical toll and the fact that, in the modern NHL and even the minors, the pure "goon" is a dying breed. The game is getting faster. Teams want guys who can actually play the puck, not just protect the stars. This shift is the core conflict of the movie.
Why Ross Rhea Stole the Show (Again)
Liev Schreiber’s Ross "The Boss" Rhea was the highlight of the first film, and he’s arguably even better here. When Doug is at his lowest, he finds Rhea competing in this gritty, underground "Bruised and Battered" league. It’s basically hockey without the hockey—just two guys standing on a small patch of ice, swinging at each other until one drops.
It’s a grim look at what happens to these guys when the big lights go out. They’re addicted to the violence and the camaraderie, and they don't know how to stop.
The Master and the Student
The dynamic shifts in a really cool way. Rhea becomes a mentor to Doug. Since Doug can’t use his right hand anymore, Rhea teaches him how to fight southpaw. This whole training montage is pure sports-movie gold, but it's grittier than Rocky. It’s messy. It’s bloody. It feels like two old dogs trying to learn one last trick before the pound catches up with them.
Schreiber plays Rhea with this weary, "I’ve seen it all" dignity. He knows he’s a dinosaur, but he’s going to go out with his teeth showing. His performance gives the movie a layer of gravitas that balances out some of the more "out there" humor.
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Jay Baruchel’s Vision: The Good and the Weird
Jay Baruchel didn't just write this; he directed it. And you can tell. The man loves hockey, and he loves it in a way that’s almost obsessive. He wanted Goon: Last of the Enforcers to be the best-looking hockey movie ever made.
Honestly? He kind of pulled it off on a technical level.
- The Cinematography: They used low-angle shots that make you feel like you're literally sliding across the ice at 30 miles per hour.
- The Editing: The fights are edited with this frantic, high-energy style that feels more like an action movie than a standard sports flick.
- The Soundtrack: It’s packed with classic Canadian tracks that give it a very specific, local flavor.
But here’s the thing—it’s also very Baruchel. The humor is way cruder than the first one. Pat (played by Baruchel himself) is dialed up to eleven, and sometimes it feels like a bit much. The first movie had a sweetness that occasionally gets buried here under a pile of dick jokes and over-the-top gore. It’s a polarizing choice. If you like your comedy dark and dirty, you’ll love it. If you preferred the "cuddly" Doug Glatt, it might be a bit of a shock.
Dealing with the "Sequel Curse"
Critics weren't exactly kind to this movie. It sits at a much lower score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the original. A lot of people felt it was "more of the same" but louder and grosser.
But talk to actual hockey fans? They usually disagree.
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For the people who actually play the game or spend their weekends in freezing cold rinks, Goon: Last of the Enforcers hits home. It captures the locker room "chirping" perfectly. It understands the weird bond between teammates who are willing to take a puck to the face for each other. It’s a love letter to a version of hockey that is slowly disappearing, and that nostalgia carries a lot of weight.
The Problem with Anders Cain
One valid criticism is the villain. Anders Cain is mean. Like, really mean. Wyatt Russell (who was actually a pro hockey player in real life, fun fact) does a great job, but the character is almost too one-dimensional. He’s a "bad guy" because the script says he is. In the first movie, Ross Rhea wasn't really a villain; he was just a guy on the other side. That nuance made the final showdown feel more like a clash of titans than a "good vs. evil" battle.
In the sequel, you just want to see Cain get his teeth knocked out. It’s satisfying when it happens, sure, but it loses some of that philosophical depth the first movie had.
Actionable Insights: Why You Should Re-watch It
If you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for something to stream this weekend, here’s why you should give it another look—or a first look if you skipped it.
- Watch the Background: The Halifax Highlanders’ locker room is full of great character actors. Pay attention to the guys in the back; their "chirping" is often funnier than the main dialogue.
- Look for the Cameos: There are a ton of real NHL players and hockey personalities scattered throughout. It’s like a game of "Where’s Waldo" for puck-heads.
- Appreciate the Stunt Work: The skating in this movie is legit. These aren't just actors on wires; Baruchel made the cast train for weeks to make sure the hockey looked real.
- Listen to the Commentary: If you can find the version with the director's commentary, it’s worth it. Baruchel’s passion for the sport is infectious and explains a lot of the weird creative choices.
Goon: Last of the Enforcers might not be the "perfect" sequel, but it’s a ballsy one. It didn't try to play it safe. It doubled down on the violence, the heart, and the sheer Canadian-ness of it all. It’s a movie about growing up, moving on, and realizing that sometimes, the only way to protect your family is to drop the gloves one last time.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of hockey movies, check out the documentary Ice Guardians. It features several of the real-life enforcers who inspired these films and explains the psychology behind the "goon" role in a way that makes the Doug Glatt story feel even more grounded. It’s the perfect companion piece for a rainy Sunday afternoon.