Overview

• The film opened September 5 in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, drawing immediate reviews that emphasize its focus on weight-cutting over in-ring action.
• Reviewers widely praise Bloom’s committed performance while noting a bleak tone and criticizing a thin screenplay and overreliance on visceral imagery.
• Bloom says he lost roughly 30 pounds in about three months under nutritionist supervision, filmed in reverse order to match his changing body, and cautions others not to attempt similar methods.
• He says he did not use GLP-1 medications, describing an intensive regimen of cardio, boxing, weights, severe dieting and late-stage water restriction to achieve the look.
• The story centers on a former champion pushed through dangerous measures to make 154 pounds, with John Turturro as a ruthless trainer and Caitríona Balfe as a partner alarmed by the toll.