Think what you want, but there’s a reason that professional wrestling, particularly the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.), is an annual juggernaut in terms of popularity and its subsequent cash flow. Their continual expansion to different areas have the entity the financial flexibility to diversify and dominate in several key areas. WWE Studios made its debut 17 years ago with a spin-off to the popular (at the time) “Mummy franchise” featuring their most marketable asset, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Scorpion King (2002).
Johnson actually starred in each of their first three theatrical features, The Rundown (2003) and Walking Tall (2004) being the other two, but that would be it for the budding cinematic superstar for many years. Fighting With My Family marks the first time The Rock has returned under the WWE Studios flag to do a film since all those years ago. Now it’s time to find out what compelled him to return.
You could say that young Saraya (Tori Ellen Ross) was born into the world of wrestling. From an early age, she was given a taste of life inside the ring and off she went. Her parents, Ricky (Nick Frost) and Julia (Lena Headey) encouraged and enabled young Saraya to embrace her physicality and that’s exactly what she did. As the years passed, the older Saraya (Florence Pugh) has become more refined, thanks in part to her parents, but also because of the tutelage of her older brother, Zak (Jack Lowden). Zak wants to make it to the where wrestlers become household names and he won’t be able to do that while stuck in their current situation in the small city of Norwich, Norfolk, England.
An opportunity arises in the form of an invitation to tryout in front of an American talent agent named Hutch (Vince Vaughn). Zak and Saraya hope to find success and happiness in their journey towards acceptance. The entire family is tested beyond their wildest imaginations as the unexpected keeps finding ways to show up. No one said that fighting for your dreams would be easy but if you leave it all on the mat, at least you’ve given it your all.
Fighting With My Family also stars Dwayne Johnson and Stephen Merchant in supporting roles. Merchant wrote the screenplay and directs the true story of the evolution of Saraya-Jade Bevis to famous female wrestling sensation Paige. Merchant utilizing a great story and puts it all together on screen for the masses to enjoy. The acting is well done as is the physical choreography. Learning what all goes into becoming a professional wrestler may end up being the most polarizing part of this film. Florence Pugh does a stellar job in displaying such a convincing character. This truly feels like a family that went through all of this. The characters are embraced fully, which is a refreshing spectacle to witness.
It will be very interesting to see if Fighting With My Family is able to outmuscle most of the competition at the theater. The public may mistakenly assume that this story would only appeal to those that enjoy wrestling. Let me tell you something, brother, the messages in this dramedy biopic are both inspirational and entertaining. The story surrounding Paige and her unorthodox upbringing should allow for heartfelt connections throughout. As an individual that was not familiar with how this story would play out, I found myself hooked on the many smaller plot points and was eager to see what happened next.
There is a nice balance of love, laughter and lessons to be learned in Fighting With My Family. And what may seem like an unlikely movie to succeed going up against several highly touted adversaries, Stephen Merchant has put together a solid Samson to face the Goliaths in the box office. Much like the story its trying to convey here, this WWE powered vehicle may be mightier than first thought. If you’re seeking an experience that will give you a full range of emotions from start to finish, Fighting With My Family may be the ticket to your happiness.
