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Bleed for This

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2:31

Bleed for This

R

Released Nov 18, 2016

1h 56m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

142 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.

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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.

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David Ehrlich

IndieWire

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.

Rated: C

Nov 15, 2018

Full Review

Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 15, 2018

Full Review

Leonard Maltin

leonardmaltin.com

Bleed for This is still worth seeing, despite its familiar trappings.

Nov 15, 2018

Full Review

Nick Levine

NME (New Musical Express)

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.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 29, 2021

Full Review

Leo Brady

AMovieGuy.com

Bleed for This is a surprisingly strong result.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 3, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

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.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 3, 2021

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Madam D

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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cassandra c

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

ABRAHAM G

It was a great movie about a guy that was told he would never fight again and defied the odds to finish his career the way he wanted to. Paz will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2025 and this movie captures his wild life in a perfect way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

Full Review

Scott M

One of the best true life boxing movies of all time about boxing legend Vinny Paz and his remarkable comeback after breaking his neck in a car crash. Incredibly inspirational

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Jill D

One of the most vivid films about boxing, the fragility, the deals the characters and great performances. Great experience.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/25

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Renaldo D

The film is interesting with good performances, but the soundtrack is bad.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

Full Review

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Ben Younger

Director

Miles Teller

Vinny Pazienza

Aaron Eckhart

Kevin Rooney

Katey Sagal

Louise Pazienza

Ciarán Hinds

Angelo Pazienza

Ted Levine

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Bleed for This: Trailer 1

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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)

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