The Fire Inside (2024)

December 16, 2024 (US) • Drama, History • 109m

Overview

Claressa Shields, 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

Writer

Barry Jenkins

Top Billed

Ryan Destiny

Keywords

child abuse biography based on true story teenage girl flint michigan female boxing olympic athlete boxing 2010s inner city youth

Where to watch

Free / Included

Amazon Prime Video

MGM+ Amazon Channel

Philo

MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel

MGM Plus

Amazon Prime Video with Ads

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Ryan Destiny

Claressa 'T-Rex' Shields

Brian Tyree Henry

Jason Crutchfield

Oluniké Adeliyi

Jackie Shields

Kylee D. Allen

Young Claressa (Running)

Emmanuel Igboke

USA Team Officer

Lanette Ware

Coach Parker

Amanda Barker

Female Clerk

De'Adre Aziza

Mickey

Adam Clark

Clarence

Jessica Grossi

Team USA Teammate

Michael Brown

Donte Green

Tyrone Benskin

Cynthia Zhou

Shanghai Announcer

Jazmin Headley

Young Claressa

Chrystian Buddington

Corey

Maurice Wayne Anglin

Young Corey

Teanna Weir

Keisha

Idrissa Sanogo

Lil' Zay

Taytem Douglas

Young Lil' Zay

Shechinah Mpumlwana

Briana

Nendia Lewars

Young Briana

Sekhai Smith

Peanut

Chidubem Rafael Echendu

Young Peanut

Sarah Allen

Nicole Thompson

Jason Weinberg

Bob Coleman

Richard Lewis

Bean

Chiamaka Glory

Jackie's Lady Friend

Bobby Daniels

Jackie's Guy Friend Alfred

Tiandria Taylor

Deedra

Marium Carvell

Lunch Lady

Jamillah Ross

Seamstress

Ivan Ossa

Student

Kenya Salmon

Student

John Kalbhenn

Detroit Regional Referee

Dorian Jeremy Prenel Ouaton

Berston Boxer

Patrick Dussault

Shanghai - WBWC Announcer

Charlene Wong

Shanghai - WBWC Ref (Marshall Claressa Fight)

Tabitha Tao

Shanghai - WBWC Chinese Tournament Sponso

Jennifer Huggins

London - Olympic Referee (Gold Medal Match)

Zak Farion

London - Olympic Admin

Ruth Tinker

London - Olympic Broadcast Announcer

Matthew Gorman

London - Olympic Broadcast Announcer

Matt Standish

London - Olympic Referee (Laurell Fight)

Laura Vincent

London Journalist

Donovan Boucher

London - Olympic Referee (Volnova Fight)

Neil Crone

Spokane MC

Mark Simmons

Spokane Referee

Myrthin Stagg

Spokane Reporter

James Finlay Fraser

London - Olympic Arena Announcer

Natasha Spence

Kira Fitzgerald

Jordan A.K. Browm

Marching Band Member

Allen Adepoju

Marching Band Member

Jasmine Jones-Ball

Marching Band Member

Daniel Jordan Anthony

Marching Band Member

Nicole Drury

Savannah Marshall

Christine Cleary

Anna Laurell (Quarterfinal)

Laura Vuculescu

Marina Volnova (Semifinal)

Melissa Karagianis

Torlopova aka 'The Jackal'

Amara-Grace Boyce

Fat Daddy Baby

Za'Niyah-Rose Kirston-Reeves

Fat Daddy Baby

Selina An

Boxing Spectator (uncredited)

Jim Carey

American Boxing Fan (uncredited)

J. Timothy Hunt

Marlen's Manager (uncredited)

Jack Nguyen

Shanghai Spectator (uncredited)

Shubei Zheng

Boxing Spectator (uncredited)

Crew

Trevor Smale

Assistant Art Director

Zosia Mackenzie

Production Design

John O'Regan

Art Direction

David Lewington

Assistant Art Director

Rina Yang

Director of Photography

Marcia Scott

Costume Designer

Mary Kirkland

Set Decoration

Stephannie Hawkins

Stunt Coordinator

Ele Bardha

Stunt Coordinator

Clayton J. Barber

Stunt Coordinator

Julie St-Louis

Stunts

April Sutton

Stunt Double

Darren Marsman

Stunt Coordinator

Shari Spier

Graphic Designer

Drea Cooper

Executive Producer

Rachel Morrison

Director

Elishia Holmes

Producer

Zackary Canepari

Executive Producer

Barry Jenkins

Producer

Barry Jenkins

Writer

Sue Jaye Johnson

Executive Producer

Lyn Lucibello

Executive Producer

Rachel Morrison

Executive Producer

Claressa Shields

Executive Producer

Tamar-kali

Original Music Composer

Harry Yoon

Editor

Irene Chun

First Assistant Editor

Michael De Luca

Producer

Tracey Landon

Executive Producer

Brittany Morrison

Assistant Art Director

Sabrina Lantos

Still Photographer

Reviews

CinemaSerf

⭐ 7/10

February 13, 2025

Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry deliver quite strongly in this biopic of the USA’s first boxing Olympic gold medalist. It follows her own career path so we know just what happened where and when, but it’s the characterful efforts that resonate more as she portrays Claressa Shields. From a very young age this tenacious young girl (Kylee D. Allen/Jazmin Headley) is running for miles to reach his gym only to be told that she couldn’t train with the boys. Henry’s Jason Crutchfield does give her a chance eventually and that’s what convinces him that she has potential. Despite her growing up in a poverty-stricken home, with her father incarcerated, they determine that if she can dedicate herself to her chosen path then perhaps fame and fortune might follow - and that proves quite an incentive for a woman who wants, passionately, to get her family out of their squalor. It’s quite an interesting look at the efforts and politics required to attain selection, exacerbated by a general reticence amongst the sporting authorities about women boxing at all and it also illustrates just how fickle those few moments of fame can be when it comes to resonating with the marketing and sponsorship communities who are all too quick to say thanks but no thanks after the ticker-tape parades have ended. Although this is very specifically aimed at her particular achievements, I think it’s fair to apply the principle to a great many would-be Olympic (amateur) athletes who participate in less lucrative sport - regardless of their sex - and who live on meagre pickings whilst others - usually in offices somewhere - reap greater financial rewards. Moreover, even the little cash on offer to assist (in her case a mere $1,000 per month but even for the men with whom she rightfully demands parity, it’s only $3,000) doesn’t extent to their training and support personnel whose relationships, rapport and dynamic with the athlete would seem better placed to deliver results. It’s interspersed with plenty of faux-actuality to give us a sense of just how strenuous this activity is, and as sporting dramas go it delivers fact, fiction and inspiration in a tempered and authentic fashion. Worth a watch.

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

$12,000,000

Revenue

$8,104,331

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The Fire Inside (2024)

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

CinemaSerf

Recommended Movies

Michael

The Shining

The Sixth Sense

The Black Phone

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

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