Win It All: A Review of One of the Best Gambling Films Available On Netflix
Gambling and casinos have always been popular subjects in American cinema. Not that often, though, in the way it happens in Win It All.
Forget the glamorous setting or that group of good-looking players breaking the bank and walking away with briefcases full of cash.
In Win It All, you’ll follow the steps of an addicted gambler trying to resist the temptation to bet money that doesn’t belong to him.
It’s precisely this more realistic approach that makes the production one of the most sought after in the genre on Netflix.
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What is Win It All about?
In Win It All, Jake Johnson brings Eddie Garrett to life, a compulsive gambler who, when he isn’t losing money he doesn’t have, makes his living betting on pool and card games.
A friend set to serve a prison sentence leaves a huge sum of money in Eddie’s keeping. It would be an easy task if Eddie did not have such a terrible track record: do not touch a single cent. Even as he repeatedly sabotages himself, Eddie must hold back from gambling away cash that is not his.
Why Win It All stands ous
Eddie Garrett is a completely normal guy. He does not rock designer suits, he does not flex expensive watches, and he is far from the mastermind gamblers usually shown on screen. It is this relatable realism that makes Win It All work so well. The film refuses to romanticize gambling, concentrating on the real consequences of impulsive habits and the pain of fighting urges.
Eddie’s openness makes you care about his outcome, pulling you into his struggle as he tries to stick to the plan. That is what distinguishes the movie. You are not sitting there hoping he wins, you are just hoping he never places a bet.
Jake Johnson as a key piece for the film
Joe Swanberg is the director and writer of Win It All. Jake Johnson, however, shares writing credit with Joe. Since the film revolves around a central figure who’s on screen for nearly the entire runtime, having the protagonist also involved in the writing process turns out to be a real asset to how the story unfolds.
Jake Johnson delivers a performance that many critics consider one of the high points of his career. Despite playing an ordinary man, Johnson never turns Eddie into a comic or harmless character. Far from it.
The actor’s natural charisma, combined with the genuine vulnerability he conveys, makes small gestures, glances, and nervous body language turn the character into someone truly memorable. It’s worth keeping in mind that a more theatrical portrayal of an addicted protagonist could easily have tipped Eddie into caricature, something Johnson skillfully avoids.
The mark of Joe Swanberg
Even though the film was produced by Netflix, a platform usually associated with more polished, commercial productions, Joe Swanberg’s signature traits remain almost entirely intact. Take a look at what they are below.
Realism over spectacle
The naturalism embedded in Swanberg’s style works brilliantly throughout Win It All. Scenes unfold with an everyday authenticity, making you feel like a passive observer watching real events take place. Nothing about the dialogue feels forced or written. The characters constantly talk over one another, mimicking genuine human interaction so well that the movie barely feels scripted, an impression that is surprisingly accurate.
Although the scenes were already mapped out, Swanberg gives his actors the freedom to build their lines spontaneously. This isn’t just a matter of good performances. It’s a whole way of working. That said, it’s worth mentioning that this is considered the least improvised project of his entire career.
A human first approach
The realism in Win It All relies on more than just unscripted dialogue. Swanberg never overplays the moral high ground or the flaws of his characters. He presents a world without heroes or villains, populated instead by people living with their decisions. Even as Eddie repeats the bad choices typical of a gambling addict, his inherent humanity helps you see that his actions are never meant to cause harm.
Is Win It All worth watching?
With a quick hour and a half runtime, saying you do not have time to watch a movie does not really hold up. Choosing the quiet, down-to-earth struggle of an ordinary person over glitzy casinos and huge bets makes Win It All an effort well worth making.
On the flip side, its accurate depiction of a compulsive gambler’s behavior could be triggering for anyone dealing with gambling or substance abuse problems. If that is not the case for you, Win It All is well worth watching.
