‘Running Point’ (2025) Netflix Series Review - A Courtside Comedy that Misses the Shot

Netflix’s Running Point sets out to be a sharp, character-driven workplace comedy wrapped in the high-stakes world of professional basketball. It has the ingredients for success: a charismatic lead, a talented ensemble, and a premise with plenty of room for humor and drama. But instead of a slam dunk, it lands somewhere between an airball and a half-hearted free throw. The show tries to be both an industry satire and a heartfelt story about female leadership, yet it never quite figures out how to balance the two.

At the center of it all is Isla Gordon, played by Kate Hudson, a woman determined to prove herself in a male-dominated industry. After her brother, the reckless and scandal-ridden Cam is forced out of his position as team president, Isla takes over, facing skepticism from players, sponsors, and her own family. It’s the kind of underdog story that should be compelling, but the execution feels clunky. Isla is written as competent yet constantly undercut by the narrative, bouncing between moments of brilliance and cartoonish blunders. She’s not so much overcoming obstacles as she is being tossed between them, making it hard to root for her.

The supporting cast, while talented, is stuck with inconsistent character development. Isla’s brother Sandy, the team’s CFO, is meant to be a controlling yet comically inept figure, but his antics feel repetitive rather than clever. Brenda Song’s Ali, Isla’s right-hand woman, has some of the show’s best lines, but even she can’t escape the occasional flat joke. The rest of the ensemble—ranging from the team’s eccentric ownership group to the players themselves—feels like a collection of exaggerated archetypes rather than real people. Their interactions are amusing in isolated moments but never fully come together into something cohesive.

Comedy is supposed to be the show’s strong suit, but the humor is frustratingly inconsistent. At its best, the dialogue is sharp and quick-witted, with some genuinely funny one-liners and well-timed physical comedy. At its worst, it leans into tired sitcom tropes, dragging out predictable misunderstandings and awkward situations that rely too much on secondhand embarrassment. The show seems unsure of whether it wants to be an industry satire or a light workplace comedy, leaving it stuck in an awkward middle ground where it doesn’t fully commit to either.

The basketball aspect of the show also feels underdeveloped. The setting has potential, but the team itself feels like a backdrop rather than an integral part of the story. There’s little insight into the actual workings of a professional sports franchise, and when basketball is involved, it’s often in ways that feel unrealistic or secondary to Isla’s personal struggles. For a show set in the world of professional sports, it barely seems interested in the sport itself.

The pacing doesn’t help. The episodes move quickly but not always in a satisfying way. Plotlines are introduced and resolved too neatly, conflicts that should build tension are defused too easily, and major turning points feel rushed. The result is a show that feels lightweight, unable to commit to deeper storytelling even when it brushes up against interesting themes like gender bias in the sports industry.

Visually, Running Point captures the sleek, high-energy world of an NBA-style franchise, but the glossy production doesn’t compensate for its lack of narrative depth. The direction is competent but uninspired, often relying on familiar sitcom framing rather than doing anything creative with the setting. The show wants to feel dynamic, but it mostly plays things safe.

One of the biggest frustrations is how much Running Point wastes its potential. It’s not an outright failure—it has its moments, and the cast does what they can with the material—but it never becomes as sharp or as engaging as it could be. The premise promises an insider’s look at the chaos of running a basketball team, but the execution delivers something much more generic.

For viewers looking for a light, undemanding workplace comedy, Running Point might be a passable distraction. But for anyone hoping for a fresh take on sports, business, or gender dynamics in a high-pressure industry, the series just doesn’t go far enough. It plays things safe when it should take risks, and the result is a show that’s watchable but forgettable. Instead of hitting its stride, Running Point stumbles, leaving audiences with a comedy that never quite finds its footing.

Final Score- [5/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times