The Fighter
A determined Lowell boxer must claim his own path to a world title while confronting the addiction, ambition, and loyalty binding his fractured family together.
Overview
A gritty tale of resilience and redemption in the world of boxing.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- volatile
- emotionally charged
- sports movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an entertaining and emotionally forceful boxing biographical drama led by exceptional performances, while finding its rise-to-glory structure predictable.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Dicky Eklund’s crack addiction and criminal entanglements destabilize his relationship with Micky and the wider Ward family.
Micky pursues a world title while navigating poverty, hometown expectations, and a family business built around boxing.
Micky and Dicky love one another but occupy opposing career trajectories, with one rising as the other declines.
The film places Micky’s career and family conflict within a tight-knit Lowell, Massachusetts community shaped by local boxing.
Films like The Fighter, and why
Raging Bull
shared boxing drama framework, biographical subject matter, working-class struggle, and intense family conflict
Rocky
shared underdog sports narrative, inspirational comeback arc, and emotionally charged trainer relationship
Foxcatcher
shared true-story sports drama, sibling tension, substance dependence, and acclaimed performances
Million Dollar Baby
shared working-class American setting, family dysfunction, and a determined athlete pursuing professional success
Movie Details
- Director
- David O. Russell
- Release Date
- 2010-12-10
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (4858)
Cast
- Mark Wahlberg
- Christian Bale
- Amy Adams
- Melissa Leo
- Mickey O'Keefe
- Jack McGee
- Melissa McMeekin
- Bianca Hunter
- Erica McDermott
- Jill Quigg
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Fighter about?
- A determined Lowell boxer must claim his own path to a world title while confronting the addiction, ambition, and loyalty binding his fractured family together.
- What is The Fighter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Fighter as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Fighter violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Fighter as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Fighter?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an entertaining and emotionally forceful boxing biographical drama led by exceptional performances, while finding its rise-to-glory structure predictable.
- Which films are like The Fighter?
- Films with a similar feel include Raging Bull, Rocky, Foxcatcher, and Million Dollar Baby.
- How long is The Fighter?
- The Fighter runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Fighter?
- In United States, The Fighter streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel.
