Pickleball is having its Hollywood moment with The Dink, a new Apple TV+ comedy starring Jake Johnson that proves even the most formulaic sports story can be a winner with the right cast and a big heart. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, the film follows Dusty 'The Hammer' Boyd (Johnson), a former tennis prodigy whose career derailed after a bizarre bathroom injury during a match against Andy Roddick. Now teaching kids at his father's country club, Dusty is a lovable loser in denial, and Johnson—fresh off his iconic turns in New Girl and the Spider-Verse movies—perfectly embodies that underdog spirit.
The plot is as predictable as a dink shot: Dusty reluctantly takes up pickleball after another wrist injury, teams up with a no-nonsense divorcee named Candace (Mary Steenburgen), and slowly learns that the sport he mocked might just save his life. But what The Dink lacks in originality, it makes up for in genuine sweetness and laugh-out-loud moments. Johnson and Steenburgen share effortless chemistry, grounding the film's silliness with real emotional stakes. Aaron Chen also steals scenes as Dusty's worshipful coworker PJ, whose secret love confession delivers one of the movie's biggest laughs.
The supporting cast is stacked with cameos and character actors. Tennis legends Andy Roddick and John McEnroe appear as themselves, clearly having a blast. Patton Oswalt plays Chuck's pickleball-obsessed rival, Skip, while Ben Stiller—who also produced—gets a running gag about a dating app. Fortune Feimster and Steve Berg add to the fun as a grunting pickleball duo whose relationship status remains delightfully ambiguous. Ed Harris brings gravitas as Dusty's disappointed father, Chuck, whose over-the-top monologue comparing pickleball's rise to the COVID-19 pandemic is both absurd and oddly fitting.
For all its charms, The Dink sometimes struggles with its comedic identity. It swings between broad farce—like PJ's exaggerated quirks and Chuck's melodramatic speeches—and more grounded, character-driven humor, especially in Candace's realistic reactions to Dusty's antics. These tonal shifts can feel sloppy, but when the jokes land, they land hard. The film never takes itself too seriously, and its self-awareness helps smooth over the rough patches.
In an era where Hollywood comedies are becoming rarer, Greenbaum continues to carve out a niche for himself. His previous work, including Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, showed a knack for blending absurdity with heart, and The Dink follows suit. While it won't make you cry, it offers unexpected tenderness beneath the paddle swings and one-liners. For fans of sports comedies like Dodgeball or Happy Gilmore, this is a worthy addition to the genre.
If you're looking for more binge-worthy Apple TV+ content, check out our list of 10 perfect Apple TV+ shows under 5 seasons. And for another recent streaming hit, see how 'Widow's Bay' made Apple TV+ streaming history.
