The Fire Inside

Play trailer

2:39

The Fire Inside

PG-13

In Theaters Wed Dec 25

1h 49m

Biography

Drama

Sports

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

Popcornmeter

0 Verified Ratings

THE FIRE INSIDE is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

Coming Soon

In Theaters Wed Dec 25

Notify Me

Critics Consensus

Equal measures inspiring, and enraging, this typical sports drama knows how to take a hit and dole them out with enough emotion and vigor to stoke The Fire Inside.

Read Critics Reviews

Rachel Morrison

Director

Ryan Destiny

Claressa Shields

Brian Tyree Henry

Jason Crutchfield

Olunike Adeliyi

Jackie Shields

De'Adre Aziza

Mickey

Lanette Ware

Coach Parker

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Shooting Stars

56%

70%

Shooting Stars

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Shooting Stars

Sweetwater

26%

95%

Sweetwater

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Sweetwater

Shirley

74%

67%

Shirley

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Shirley

Nyad

85%

86%

Nyad

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Nyad

Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World

43%

96%

Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Owen Gleiberman

Variety

It’s a real rouser. Yet the film is rooted in a sobering grasp of the trauma that can be the flip side of triumph. The arc of the drama is built around an enormous curveball it throws at the audience. And that’s when the movie really gets good.

Oct 7, 2024

Full Review

Dwight Brown

DwightBrownInk.com

Morrison shows a gift for guiding the main and supporting actors. Nothing seems fake. Not the emotions, upheavals or triumphs.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 24, 2024

Full Review

Michael Rechtshaffen

The Hollywood Reporter

As its restless protagonist navigates the road to ultimate personal victory, director Morrison is right there with her, maintaining a propulsive momentum accentuated by editor Yoon’s rhythmic cuts and composer Tamar-kali’s elegant, percolating score.

Sep 16, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Its paint by the numbers execution resulted in a listless story instead of a more passionate one.

Rated: B-

Oct 22, 2024

Full Review

Nate Adams

The Movie Sleuth

Hits all the right moments to deliver an enjoyable sports drama that wears its heart right on its sleeve.

Rated: B

Sep 28, 2024

Full Review

Murjani Rawls

MovieWeb

The Fire Inside is a welcome alternative to the typical sports biopic that sanitizes any awkwardness or sadness that detracts from the joy of victory. It invites us to look at Shields and Crutchfield as actual people who have to keep living after winning.

Sep 23, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

8 Best Films From The Fall Festivals

13 Must-Watch Films at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival

What to Watch: Most Anticipated Black-Led Shows and Movies of 2024

The Fire Inside: Trailer 1

2:39

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

THE FIRE INSIDE is the inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

Director: Rachel Morrison
Producer: Elishia Holmes, Barry Jenkins
Screenwriter: Barry Jenkins
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Michael De Luca Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Suggestive Material|Thematic Elements|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2024, Wide
Runtime: 1h 49m