The Fire Inside

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2:39

The Fire Inside

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2024

1h 49m

Biography

Drama

Sports

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

118 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

500+ 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.

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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.

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Audience Says

Delivering a solid emotional punch with pugilistic skill, The Fire Inside shines much needed light on the inspirational true story of Olympic boxing champion Claressa Shields.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

The Fire Inside has enough quality to please genre and sports enthusiasts even if it feels like an undercard fixture. For all the talent on both sides of the camera, the nuts-and-bolts script lacks innovation and the pacing neither bobs nor weaves.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 28, 2025

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Jonathan Romney

Financial Times

What happens in the ring is ferocious enough, but it’s around the kitchen sink that the drama really hots up.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 14, 2025

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

[The Fire Inside] understands that, with storytelling as with fighting, sometimes all you need to do is stand firm and land the punches.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 10, 2025

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Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

A rousing and empowering movie that reminds us there’s still a whole lot of fighting left to do even after the final bell rings.

Apr 17, 2025

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Pedro Gallego

Espinof

This is a film that understands the models and keys to a successful boxing film, taking cues from what the "Creed" films had managed to turn into massive success...[Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Mar 31, 2025

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

While we've seen this sports drama template play out countless times before, Morrison crafts an intimate two-hander about mentorship, resiliency, and camaraderie through superior performances by Ryan Destiny and Bryan Tyree Henry.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 20, 2025

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Clem

A sleeper of a Hit!!! great story telling! should be a cult classic but we'll see in the future!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Kim

Great Story, well told 🥊

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Robert C

Good story and inspiring. I’m not a boxing fan, but appreciate the perseverance and Olympic story portrayed in the film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

Full Review

Jalen S

Excellent! A well made crowd pleasing biopic that keeps you engaged and entertained the entire time. The performances are also excellent here. Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry kill it here. Loved it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/25

Full Review

Gary G

A great story and as always a bonus for trye story... I'm embarrassed I didn't know it... likely overshadowed by the swim guy.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

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Leroy

Ryan was phenomenal and truly shined on her first huge role!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

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Rachel Morrison

Director

Ryan Destiny

Claressa Shields

Brian Tyree Henry

Jason Crutchfield

Olunike Adeliyi

Jackie Shields

De'Adre Aziza

Mickey

Jazmin Headley

Young Claressa

The Fire Inside: Movie Clip - This One is For You

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The Fire Inside: Exclusive Movie Clip - Staying True

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The Fire Inside: Trailer 1

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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: Michael De Luca, Elishia Holmes, Barry Jenkins
Screenwriter: Barry Jenkins
Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Some Strong Language|Brief Suggestive Material)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 28, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.1M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

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