Warrior

Warrior is a 2011 sports-drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Nick Nolte. Warrior tells the story of two estranged brothers entering a mixed martial arts tournament, and deals with the brothers' struggling relationship with each other and with their father. The family drama resonates strongly with a resolution that, in retrospect, seems like the only way the brothers could have re-discovered blood ties. Meanwhile their fights are downright compelling. Instead of interrupting the drama, the story continues in the ring as the two fighters drag a lifetime of emotional torment in with them. They’re fighting their demons as much as their opponents. Warrioris one of the few fight films in which winning or losing is not the key factor.

The film was released on September 9, 2011 to overall positive reviews, and earned an Academy Award nomination for Nolte. Warrior is dedicated to the memory of Charles Lewis, Jr., as seen just before the ending credits.