Warrior (2011) in Pursuit of Redemption | Movie Review

At one level, Warrior (2011) is the story of two MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters competing in a tournament called Sparta. The winner of the event takes home 5 million dollars.

At a deeper level, Warrior is about a fractured family and the wounds that keep it that way. The two fighters are actually brothers — Tom Hardy plays Tommy Conlon, a former Marine, and Joel Edgerton plays the older brother Brendan Conlon, a school teacher struggling to pay his bills and provide for his family. Their estranged and once alcoholic and abusive father unites Tommy and Brendan. 

If you take the heart from movies like Rocky, Creed, and Cinderella Man and mix it with a film about mixed martial arts and family, you get Warrior. And similar to the films just mentioned, the concept of “fighting” works at many levels in the movie. Of course, there is an external fight that takes place between the men in the ring and even the father against alcohol. But, at another level, there is the internal fighting that offers an emotional punch: one brother is fighting to keep his home and care for his family; the other other is trying to provide for the family of a fallen soldier. And the father is fighting to reconcile with his boys, leave behind the person he was. 

The film has become a favorite of mine for many reasons. And if you look at the ratings, I’m not the only to agree (84% critics; 92% audience). Certainly, the film offers great fighting sequences and strong acting, especially from Nick Nolte and Tom Hardy. But what pushes this film from good to great is the filmmakers’ ability to tell a profoundly redemptive story in a way that does not feel contrived. The film takes its time, unravelling the inner workings of the three main characters, offering us glimpses into their wounds and obstacles, capturing us at an emotional level.

Brett McCracken from The Gospel Coalition this March published what he calls the “50 Most Edifying Films of the 21st Century so Far” and Warrior makes the list. Edifying is a good word, although I would caution against watching this film with children because of strong violence and some language. But with it comes powerful themes of forgiveness and reconciliation and redemption worth meditating upon, along with a solid script and a very engaging story. 

Now, after rewatching it, I can think of a few questions that will help you dig deeper into the film for a more rewarding experience. 

• (Literary) Throughout the film, the father listens to Moby Dick. What’s the significance, and perhaps connection, between Ahab’s mission and the father’s character arc?

• Each character in the film encounters redemption. When and how do you see that taking place in the film? Which of the characters do you connect with the most? And why?

That’s it! If you watch the film and like it, I’d love to hear from you. Also, if there’s a movie you’d like me to review, send me an email!

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Dane Bundy is President of Stage & Story and Director of Fine Arts at Regents School of Austin.