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

116 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

Full Review

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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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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Emma Simmonds

Radio Times

It's refreshing to see a woman lauded for her physical power, and Shields's story packs one hell of an emotional punch.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 13, 2025

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Even if it feels a little long, the film is beautifully shot and edited, directed with real skill by Rachel Morrison.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 11, 2025

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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

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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

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Jay

Beautiful story and movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

Latrice J

very inspirational movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/25

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john p

story was great but acting was not so much

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

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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