Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Bleed for This

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for Bleed for This R 2016 1h 56m Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Pazienza (Miles Teller), a local Providence boxer, shoots to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves him with a broken neck, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctor's orders, renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) agrees to help Vinny return to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life. Based on a true story.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Bleed for This

Bleed for This

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Bleed for This rises on the strength of Miles Teller's starring performance to deliver a solid fact-based boxing drama that takes a few genre clichés on the chin but keeps on coming.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
David Ehrlich IndieWire 11/15/2018
C
Teller is appreciably committed to the character, but he's only given one note to play, his full-bodied passion wasted on a movie that would rather win on points than go for the knockout. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers Rolling Stone 11/15/2018
2.5/4
Younger jacks up the action in the last third, but the air goes out of a fight movie when you can see the next jab coming. Go to Full Review
Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com 11/15/2018
Bleed for This is still worth seeing, despite its familiar trappings. Go to Full Review
Nick Levine NME (New Musical Express) 04/29/2021
3/5
Because of Teller's compelling performance and chemistrywith Eckhart, it's hard not to be roused by the film's triumphant finale, but it never transcends the clichés of its genre. It's an often gripping film, but never very insightful. Go to Full Review
Leo Brady AMovieGuy.com 02/03/2021
3/4
Bleed for This is a surprisingly strong result. Go to Full Review
Richard Crouse Richard Crouse 02/03/2021
2/5
Succeeds in getting across its predictable 'never-say-die' lesson. It's a shame Younger settles for a made-for-TV-movie sentiment instead of digging deeper to dins a subtext that would really knock the audience out. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Ed R @JustcallmeER Oct 31 This was a great, true inspirational story that lost all of it's allure in the story telling. See more Ben S Aug 5 Teller was evidently dedicated and I can't help but applaud him for his effort and success in bringing this figure to the big screen. If nothing else, the triumphant of the human spirit is ever powerful in this one, but if you're in search of a boxing movie, there are better ones out there. See more A I Jul 19 This was THE best ever boxing movie I have ever seen, ever! See more SkyRo P @TheMovieSearch Jun 15 Bleed for This is a movie about boxing, focusing on Miles Teller’s character, Vinny Pazienza, and his remarkable comeback story. After suffering a severe injury, Vinny finds himself battling against all odds — physically, mentally, and emotionally — to return to the sport and chase the championship glory he once had. The film moves at a slow pace, with much more emphasis on character development and the struggles Vinny faced on his road back, instead of delivering a lot of action in the ring. The writing reflects this slower approach, which, at times, made the story feel a bit sluggish. When the action scenes do come, they’re decent enough and provide a rush, but they’re few and far between. The focus here is more on the journey — the recovery, the doubts, and the perseverance — rather than pure, high-energy boxing match-ups. Overall, I did enjoy Bleed for This and appreciate it for what it is. It’s probably not a film I’d revisit frequently, simply because I was expecting more action from a boxing movie. I’d still recommend it, but I’d let people know going in that it’s more about the human story than the in-ring action. See more Madam D Jun 6 Lots of sports are dangerous, but boxing is worst of all. The idea that someone would risk their life to make money & be a champ is just stupid, in my book. See more cassandra c Mar 23 Bleed for This doesn’t just hit hard—it lands. This film tells the wild, almost-unbelievable true story of Vinny Pazienza, a certified boxing legend who redefined what it means to be unbreakable. The movie chronicles how Vinny Paz wasn’t just fighting opponents in the ring—he was fighting doctors, doubt, and a severely broken neck. With a halo screwed into his skull, he managed to step back into the ring. That’s not just resilience—that’s the greatest comeback in boxing history. Miles Teller taps all the way in with his performance, bringing Paz’s voice, swagger, toughness, and vulnerability to the screen. Aaron Eckhart is unrecognizable—in the best way—as trainer Kevin Rooney, and the chemistry between them is electric. Director Ben Younger keeps the energy tight, gritty, and real. Director Ben Younger does a brilliant job bringing Paz’s world to life, with intense fight scenes, strong character work, and a story that pulls you in from start to finish. Vinny Pazienza’s story is compelling beyond words—a testament to the power of will and the refusal to give up. Bleed for This is a must-watch for boxing fans and anyone who loves a true underdog story that hits hard and stays with you. See more Read all reviews
Bleed for This

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW
Stronger 91% 81% Stronger Watchlist TRAILER for Stronger The Fighter 91% 89% The Fighter Watchlist TRAILER for The Fighter Trial by Fire 63% 75% Trial by Fire Watchlist TRAILER for Trial by Fire Molly's Game 82% 84% Molly's Game Watchlist TRAILER for Molly's Game 127 Hours 93% 85% 127 Hours Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Pazienza (Miles Teller), a local Providence boxer, shoots to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves him with a broken neck, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctor's orders, renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) agrees to help Vinny return to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life. Based on a true story.
Director
Ben Younger
Producer
Bruce Cohen, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Chad A. Verdi, Noah Kraft, Ben Younger, Pamela Thur
Screenwriter
Ben Younger
Distributor
Open Road
Production Co
The Solution Entertainment Group, Verdi Productions, Sikelia Productions
Rating
R (Sexuality/Nudity|Language|Some Accident Images)
Genre
Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 18, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 31, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$5.1M
Runtime
1h 56m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now