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Warrior

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Warrior

PG-13

Released Sep 9, 2011

2h 19m

Action

Drama

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Popcornmeter

84%

Tomatometer

192 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

An estranged family finds redemption in the unlikeliest of places: the MMA ring. Tommy (Tom Hardy), an ex-Marine with a tragic past, returns home and enlists his father (Nick Nolte), a recovering alcoholic and former wrestling coach, to train him for "Sparta," the biggest MMA tournament ever held. But when Tommy's underdog brother, Brendan (Joel Edgerton), fights his way into the tournament, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart.

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Critics Consensus

Warrior relies on many of the clichés that critics of the genre love to mock -- and it transcends them with gripping action, powerful acting, and heart.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

The characters are honest and true, the fight sequences are brutal and raw, while the central themes being delivered in the denouement pack a major emotional wallop.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 27, 2012

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Its three leads certainly deserve consideration for their artfulness in being able to infuse it with intimations of quality.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 26, 2011

Full Review

Jim Schembri

The Age (Australia)

Grainy, hand-held cinematography can't lend authenticity to the forced emotion.

Rated: 2/5

Oct 25, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

These stars deliver the goods in abundance, even if audiences must suffer through some obligatory training montages to get it.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The MMA action is bone-jarring and brutal and you can feel each punch and kick. But at it’s core this is a brilliant and heartfelt character study brought to life by some strong acting and a rock solid script.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 21, 2022

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The journey the characters take to get there sucks you in and melts the inherent predictability away.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 8, 2022

Full Review

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Cfunk D

The acting is great. They have some really deep and rememberable scenes. But the ending is just so dull. And the fight wins are repetitive. The writer/director Gavin O'Connor was obsessed with the arm bar.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

Full Review

S S

Freaking awesome movie. Just watched in 2025. Never heard of it, but loved it. Tom hardy rocks. So does Joel egerton. Hardy does not get the recognition he deserves.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

Full Review

Shaun R

Spoiler…. Very good film. Hardy’s character remains his best. Not sure what I think about Edgerton’s character winning the tournament.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Dylan S

This movie captures a very real and emotional atmosphere throughout the film, the writing and and delivery of the dialogue was fantastic. Nick Nolte absolutely steals the show, and in my opinion this was his best performance in his career.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/13/25

Full Review

A R

I really don't understand some people's criticism regarding the realism. Of COURSE it's not realistic but this story isn't about real...it's about pain, redemption, and forgiveness. I was not an MMA fan when I first watched this movie but this is by far one of the most gripping, emotional, and well crafted sports movies I have EVER seen. How they resolved this conflict between Tommy, his brother, Brendon, and father was absolutely perfect. I was a complete mess watching this movie. A complete mess. You know that Brendan was going to take care of his brother in the end. Incredible acting performances by the entire cast. Nick Nolte was incredible! The pacing was perfect. This film, unfortunately, was released at the wrong time. If released in 2020s, it would have received some Oscar nominations. Do not listen to the haters. Do not listen to the realist. This is not about winning an MMA match. It's about something much deeper. It's a MUST watch movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Guy P

Brilliant movie! For a low budget film about a relatively unknown sport for its time it certainly delivers, just imagine the success it would have today with the global powerhouse the UFC has become.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

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Gavin O'Connor

Director

Joel Edgerton

Brendan

Tom Hardy

Tommy

Nick Nolte

Paddy

Jennifer Morrison

Tess

Frank Grillo

Frank Campana

Warrior: Official Clip - The Boys Are at it Again

2:09

Warrior: Official Clip - No Win, No Home

2:31

Warrior: Official Clip - Brotherly Love

2:12

Warrior: Official Clip - Stop This Ship

2:44

Warrior: Official Clip - You're Trying?

2:13

Warrior: Official Clip - You Got It

2:13

Warrior: Official Clip - Taking Home the Bacon

2:12

Warrior: Official Clip - Mr. Inside Man

2:03

Warrior: Official Clip - Forgiveness

2:13

Warrior: Official Clip - Beating Mad Dog

2:28

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Synopsis

An estranged family finds redemption in the unlikeliest of places: the MMA ring. Tommy (Tom Hardy), an ex-Marine with a tragic past, returns home and enlists his father (Nick Nolte), a recovering alcoholic and former wrestling coach, to train him for "Sparta," the biggest MMA tournament ever held. But when Tommy's underdog brother, Brendan (Joel Edgerton), fights his way into the tournament, the two brothers must finally confront each other and the forces that pulled them apart.

Director: Gavin O'Connor
Producer: Gavin O'Connor, Greg O'Connor
Screenwriter: Gavin O'Connor, Anthony Tambakis, Cliff Dorfman
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Mimran Schur Pictures, Lionsgate
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Int. Mixed Martial Arts Fight|Thematic Material)
Genre: Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.7M
Runtime: 2h 19m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

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