Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- intense
- melodramatic
- brooding
- sports movie night
- motivational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film formulaic and predictable but praised its committed performances, especially Jake Gyllenhaal and Forest Whitaker.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Billy loses his career, wealth, and custody of his daughter before rebuilding himself through Tick Wills’s training and a return to boxing.
Maureen’s shooting death sends Billy into a downward spiral that costs him his professional career, possessions, and relationship with Leila.
Tick Wills becomes the demanding trainer who helps Billy replace rage and instability with controlled preparation.
Billy’s return to the boxing ring externalizes his struggle to process loss and become a dependable father.
Films like Southpaw, and why
The Fighter
shared boxing film form, redemption arc, grief-driven intensity, and working-class emotional stakes
Cinderella Man
shared sports drama structure, fatherhood themes, personal sacrifice, and emotionally cathartic comeback
Creed
shared boxing-centered tragedy, determined training, family pressure, and inspirational underdog momentum
Movie Details
- Director
- Antoine Fuqua
- Release Date
- 2015-07-22
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (5949)
Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal
- Rachel McAdams
- Forest Whitaker
- Oona Laurence
- 50 Cent
- Skylan Brooks
- Naomie Harris
- Victor Ortiz
- Beau Knapp
- Miguel Gómez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- 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 Southpaw about?
- A fallen boxing champion battles grief, institutional ruin, and his own rage to reclaim his daughter and rebuild his life.
- What is Southpaw like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Southpaw as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Southpaw violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Southpaw as brutal.
- What did critics think of Southpaw?
- Critics broadly found the film formulaic and predictable but praised its committed performances, especially Jake Gyllenhaal and Forest Whitaker.
- Which films are like Southpaw?
- Films with a similar feel include The Fighter, Cinderella Man, and Creed.
- How long is Southpaw?
- Southpaw runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Southpaw?
- In United States, Southpaw streams on fuboTV, Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
