This review was originally published on September 11, 2024, as a part of our Toronto International Film Festival.

Rachel Morrison has been a cinematographer for years and even earned a nomination for her stunning work on Mudbound. With The Fire Inside, Morrison is in the director’s chair for the first time, and it’s safe to say that she has a solid future ahead of her in the role. Written by Barry Jenkins, The Fire Inside is based on the true story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a professional boxer and two-time Olympic gold medalist. The sports biopic also underscores how being from Flint, an oft-forgotten place, is a strength, and its existence can’t be erased.

The Fire Inside chronicles the journey of boxer Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields from Flint, Michigan, as she trains and becomes the first American woman to achieve an Olympic gold medal in boxing, highlighting her determination and athletic achievements.

Director

Rachel Morrison

Release Date

December 25, 2024

Writers

Barry Jenkins

Cast

Ryan Destiny
, Jazmin Headley
, Kylee D. Allen
, Brian Tyree Henry
, De’Adre Aziza
, Chrystian Buddington
, Maurice Wayne Anglin
, Teanna Weir

Runtime

109 minutes

The Fire Inside Is Just As Realistic As It Is Inspirational

The Fire Inside is unique because it gives us the truth. Claressa (a fierce Ryan Destiny) may have won her first Olympic medal, but Morrison and Jenkins give us the aftermath of that win. It’s not sunshine and rainbows. Claressa struggles to pay her family’s bills, and her boxing coach, Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), runs into obstacles getting Claressa sponsorship deals. Racism and sexism are factors, and none of the companies want to risk bringing Claressa on if it means they won’t make any money. This disappointment is heartbreaking, and a contrast to the rush and excitement of winning.
Beyond the realistic portrayal of Claressa’s life before and after her first Olympic win, The Fire Inside portrays the boxer with depth and humanity. She feels like a real person — imperfect, hard on herself, a self-proclaimed bully, a fighter, and a struggling teenager. So often, biopics are more concerned with idolizing their subjects than delving into who they truly are. Jenkins’ script is the complete opposite of that. Claressa is flawed and that, more than anything, makes us root for her all the more. She doesn’t always make good choices, but she’s still deserving of all her success.

It’s a sports drama that encapsulates the experience of living in Flint and a powerful, character-driven story that isn’t afraid to show the gritty aspects as they actually are.

The film’s pacing is excellent, as it builds up to Claressa’s first win before the adrenaline falls, and we glimpse the hardships that continue. The Fire Inside is inspirational, but it’s also deeper than the run-of-the-mill athlete success stories we’ve become accustomed to. Claressa’s story subverts expectations of what a big sports win looks like. After Claressa won an Olympic medal, I was not emotionally ready for the despair that followed. Morrison structures the film so we’re riding on a high before it’s swiftly taken away. Claressa’s win, for a while after, feels like it was a dream.
The Fire Inside Boasts A Heartwarming Dynamic Between Claressa & Jason

Brian Tyree Henry & Ryan Destiny Are Excellent Together

All of Flint roots for Claressa, but The Fire Inside’s core relationship is between Henry and Destiny, who first broke out in the series Star. In her feature film debut as a lead, Destiny is astonishingly good. She balances Claressa’s emotional spectrum, which ranges from angry to heartbroken, triumphant to frustrated. Claressa refuses to act any differently to gain favor, and Destiny plays that with a fiery spark that underscores her desire to remain true to herself. Not playing the game proves difficult, but just as the film is grounded in realness, Claressa is just as firmly rooted in it.
Claressa finds stability with Jason, who not only trains her but takes her in after her mother, Jackie (Olunike Adeliyi), kicks her out. They are two peas in a pod, and Jason acts as a trainer and father figure to Claressa, believing in her ability to go far. Henry is wonderful as Jason; he’s patient and kind, but also endlessly annoyed with Claressa when she gets a certain way. Henry knows how to balance Jason’s pushy coach sensibilities with fatherly affection. He’s gentle but firm and perfectly complements Destiny’s Claressa. They’re the heart and soul of the film.

The Fire Inside manages to accomplish a lot in its nearly two-hour runtime. It’s a sports drama that encapsulates the experience of living in Flint and a powerful, character-driven story that isn’t afraid to show the gritty aspects as they actually are. Morrison and Jenkins balance both effectively, giving us a moving biopic that is full of humanity and depth. Come for the boxing, stay for the inspiration and truth.
The Fire Inside premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and is now playing in theaters. The film is 109 minutes long and rated PG-13 for some strong language, thematic elements, and brief suggestive material.

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Pros

Ryan Destiny and Brian Tyree Henry are a great pair
The story is detailed and doesn’t avoid the reality of Claressa’s life
The film is inspirational and truthful in its handling of its narrative
Claressa is flawed and treated with dignity