Stick It 2006

In a dramatic turn of events, Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym), a 17-year-old skateboarder with a penchant for rebellion, finds herself forced back into the world of elite gymnastics after a run-in with the law. As punishment, Judge sentences her to attend the prestigious gymnastics academy run by legendary coach Burt Vickerman (Jeff Bridges). This is not Haley’s first rodeo - she was once a prodigious gymnast who made it to the World Championships, only to abandon competition in the middle of the finals, leaving many wounded and crushed. Her departure from the sport left her with a reputation as one of the most reviled figures in gymnastics.

Upon arrival at the academy, Haley is met with resistance from Coach Vickerman, who convinces her to dust off her leotard and take up gymnastics once more - at least until she can compete in an upcoming invitational. The coach promises that the prize money from the competition will go towards settling Haley’s outstanding debts and clearing her path for a fresh start. However, Haley’s reluctance to return to the sport stems not only from its rigid rules and intense training schedule but also from her lingering emotional scars.

Haley’s attitude towards her fellow gymnasts, as well as her tumultuous past, sparks tensions within the group. Her initial cold shoulder reception from the other athletes serves as a wake-up call, forcing Haley to confront the realities of her situation. As she readies herself for the invitational competition, Haley’s skills are rekindled, and it seems that her return to gymnastics is on track. Yet, beneath the surface, Haley senses something amiss with the judging system - an intuition born from her own troubled past experience at the World Championships.

As Haley navigates the high-pressure world of competitive gymnastics, she must also contend with the unwelcome arrival of her estranged mother, who has come to witness Haley’s performance. The lingering animosity towards Haley from her peers and spectators at the World Championship still lingers, threatening to derail her attempts to reclaim her former glory. Despite these challenges, Haley dominates the competition early on, delivering stunning routines that leave her opponents in awe.

As the pressure mounts, Haley (Kaitlyn Dever) crumbles under the weight of her emotional turmoil during the balance beam routine, surrendering to her inner demons and exiting the arena in a poignant echo of her traumatic experience at the World Championships. The revelation of her mother’s infidelity with her then-coach, which led to her parents’ divorce and her father gaining custody, still fresh in her mind, Haley confides in Vickerman (Adam Garcia) about the devastating event that shattered her world.

In a bid to escape the crushing fate that awaits her - either juvenile detention or a military academy - Haley seeks out the same judge who had once sentenced her to gymnastics training. However, this time around, she finds solace in Vickerman’s compassion and understanding of her plight. The judge, persuaded by Vickerman’s words, decides not to penalize Haley further, instead offering her a chance to continue training under his guidance.

Though she failed to complete the invitational, Haley seizes the opportunity to revive her passion for gymnastics. As she trains with renewed purpose, she is joined by her teammates Mina (Maddy Curley), Wei Wei (Nikki SooHoo), and Joanne (Vanessa Lengies). Together, they qualify for the National Championships.

However, the National Championships bring its own set of challenges as Haley finds herself struggling to make a mark in the all-around standings. Despite this, she manages to secure a spot in the event finals, where her frustration boils over during the vault competition. Mina’s impressive routine is marred by a low score due to a minor technicality - the visible bra strap - and Haley’s response is nothing short of revolutionary.

As she takes her turn on the vault, Haley deliberately shows off her own bra strap to the judges, forfeiting her opportunity and flashing her signature “rebel horn” hand gesture. Her bold act sparks a chain reaction as one by one, the other gymnasts follow suit, earning a string of zeros and forcing the judges to award Mina the gold medal in the vault event, regardless.

As Haley’s fearless initiative ignites a fire within the gymnasts, they begin to question the very fabric of their competition. In hushed tones, they discuss the possibility of rewriting the rules and choosing their own winner, a decision that would render the judging process fair and unbiased. The collective sentiment gains momentum, and soon the entire community is united in demanding a more equitable system. The athletes’ bold stance culminates with the selection of a single representative from each event, who then performs their routine while the others simultaneously participate in the other events - a dizzying display that includes pole vaulting, balance beam acrobatics, and freestyle dance.

However, just as it seems the movement is gaining traction, Trisha Skillkin, a stalwart favorite of the judges, arrives on the scene, determined to upend the newly established order. She takes to the balance beam, executing her routine with precision and poise. But Wei Wei has other plans, and in a stunning display of creativity, she decides to incorporate breakdancing into her performance, set to the infectious beat of rock music.

As the competition reaches its climax, Haley takes center stage for the freestyle dance portion, while the others opt to “scratch” - a move that ultimately proves to be a powerful statement about the true nature of their sport. Trisha, too, comes around to the cause, realizing that scratching is not only permissible but also necessary to make a point. The event has transcended its original purpose, becoming a rallying cry for freedom and individual expression.

In the end, Haley’s talents are recognized once more, and her future is filled with promise as numerous colleges offer her athletic scholarships to compete in NCAA gymnastics. Her bold initiative has sparked a revolution that will have far-reaching consequences, inspiring others to question authority and demand fairness and equality in their own pursuits.