TUBI ORIGINAL: Married to a Balla (2024)

When Skye (Dominique Madison) finally has enough of getting knocked around, she wants to finally get out from under the shadow of her abusive pro-athlete husband, Sandino Washington (Emanuel Alexander), while protecting her sons, Justice (Darian J. Barnes), Kareem (Alonte Williams) and Jordan (Mario Golden). That’s easier said than done.

Despite the beautiful home, expensive cars and unlimited bank account, Skye can’t be a punching bag anymore. But running away from the marriage and everything that comes with it, much less setting up new identities for her and her sons—who don’t all agree with leaving Sandino—is difficult. And he’s always out there, looking for her.

Directed by Emily Skye and written by Jamal Hill and Tressa Azarel Smallwood, this makes me wonder if ESPN even looks at athletes in this universe. Supposedly, Sandino is the most prominent athlete there, yet no one knows that his wife and kids are gone. Wouldn’t that be a bigger story? The ending is also pretty wild, as — spoiler warning — the protagonist shoots her husband and we cut to her playing football with the kids. The last thing these survivors of abuse and a dead football-playing dad would want seems to be more football. Is that why it’s America’s game?

There are better Tubi Originals. Trust me.

You can watch this on Tubi.