American Wrestler: The Wizard

PG-13

2016

1 hr. 57 min.

Drama

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90%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

A teenage boy adjusting to life in a new town combats the disapproval and scorn of his uncle, his classmates and his neighbors when he joins his school's floundering wrestling team, only to become the squad's star member.

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Jerod S

Solid biopic of Ali Afshar, how we defected to American from Iran in the 80s to be not be killed in the war. Finding his way through adversity, he wrestled his way into the news and into the championships.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

It was an inspiring story if you love an underdog story and the sport of Wrestling this film is a can't miss.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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brian v

Like Karate Kid meets Vision Quest. Formulaic? Yes. Fun? Absolutely! I also personally connected a little more with the film I think because I grew up in a Northern California suburban neighborhood, played high school football, and was 1 in a tiny handful of Vietnamese kids in the whole area. My family also escaped the old country due to a war as well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Best sport film ever!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

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Audience Member

One of my favorite movies ever. Tells the incredible true story of one who overcomes impossible obstacles to come out on top.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

This sports drama was really good. Jon Voight, William Fichtner, George Kosturos, and the rest of the cast did an excellent job in this movie. This movie based on a true story was very dramatic and inspirational. It's about a high school teenager from Iran who tries out for the wrestling team to fit in and succeeds not only in making friends but in wrestling as well. It's a movie people should see. You'll love it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Alex Ranarivelo

Director

Jon Voight

Principal Skinner

William Fichtner

Coach Plyler

Lia Marie Johnson

Kristi Larsen

George Kosturos

Ali

Kevin G. Schmidt

Rowan Knox

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American Wrestler: The Wizard: Fathom Events Trailer

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John DeFore

Hollywood Reporter

Only a middling example of its genre ...

Dec 19, 2016

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Peter Debruge

Variety

"American Wrestler" is mostly tired old formula. Still, what the movie lacks in originality it makes up for in personality ...

Dec 17, 2016

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Michael Rechtshaffen

Los Angeles Times

It may be by-the-book, but "American Wrestler" is a story well worth telling.

Dec 15, 2016

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Synopsis

A teenage boy adjusting to life in a new town combats the disapproval and scorn of his uncle, his classmates and his neighbors when he joins his school's floundering wrestling team, only to become the squad's star member.

Director: Alex Ranarivelo
Executive Producer: Forrest Lucas
Screenwriter: Brian Rudnick
Production Co: ESX Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Disturbing Images|Language|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 16, 2017

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