Overview
A former prisoner returns to reclaim his life and love, but the past won't let go.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- tense
- melancholic
- compassionate
- serious movie night
- political drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a compelling and humane boxing drama that uses Danny's personal reinvention to explore reconciliation amid the Troubles.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Danny's nonsectarian boxing club welcomes both Catholics and Protestants despite opposition from former IRA colleagues.
After fourteen years in prison, Danny returns to boxing and chooses a life free from political violence.
Danny and Maggie's renewed feelings are complicated by Maggie's marriage, her son's feelings, and their shared past.
Danny uses the boxing club and training culture as a constructive substitute for the IRA's violent tactics.
Films like The Boxer, and why
Raging Bull
shared boxing drama, working-class struggle, redemption, and emotionally restrained romance
Some Mother's Son
shared Irish political conflict, moral reconciliation, and intimate romantic drama
In the Name of the Father
shared Northern Irish Troubles setting, divided communities, and politically charged human relationships
The Hurricane
shared sports-centered redemption arc, social pressure, and bittersweet working-class sentiment
Movie Details
- Director
- Jim Sheridan
- Release Date
- 1997-12-31
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (321)
Cast
- Daniel Day-Lewis
- Emily Watson
- Brian Cox
- Ken Stott
- Gerard McSorley
- David Hayman
- Kenneth Cranham
- Lorraine Pilkington
- Niall Shanahan
- John Wall
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Boxer about?
- A former IRA prisoner rebuilds his life through boxing while confronting sectarian violence and an old love in Belfast.
- What is The Boxer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Boxer as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Boxer violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Boxer as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Boxer?
- Critics broadly found the film a compelling and humane boxing drama that uses Danny's personal reinvention to explore reconciliation amid the Troubles.
- Which films are like The Boxer?
- Films with a similar feel include Raging Bull, Some Mother's Son, In the Name of the Father, and The Hurricane.
- How long is The Boxer?
- The Boxer runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Boxer?
- In United States, The Boxer is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
