The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Film

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Film Review: ‘Fighting With My Family’

by Jake King February 15, 2019
by Jake King February 15, 2019 0 comment

This is the movie WWE Studios was born to make!

Fighting With My Family is the biographical tale of Saraya Bevis, who grew up in a family of professional wrestlers. Both Saraya and her brother, Zak, try out for the WWE when the organization visits their English hometown, but, of the two of them, only Saraya gets chosen. This deeply hurts the competitive Zak, who, with a child on the way, was hoping to have a successful wrestling career.  His jealousy causes him to resent Saraya, now going by the stage name of Paige (yes, it is a reference to Paige Matthews from Charmed). With this burden on her shoulders, as well as some nasty stage fright, Paige now has to go through a physical and emotional journey to keep her family together, and to eventually become the youngest champion in the WWE’s Divas Championship.

I wasn’t expecting too much from this film because its trailer wasn’t at all captivating, but a strange feeling occurred in me during the first quarter of the film. Even though I was able to predict where this film’s plot was going, I was still intrigued to see what happens next. It could be perhaps the filmmakers took great care in allowing the audience to get familiar with these characters, as well as their conflicts and their goals. Director Stephen Merchant also creates some great belly laugh moments in order to bring levity to this film’s story, which makes for an entertaining and heartfelt thrill ride at the movies.

Florence Pugh, whom one might remember being one of 2017’s standout actresses thanks to her performance in Lady Macbeth, gets to truly show off her range in portraying Paige, who is the heart of the film’s story. Everything about her performance, from her mannerisms to her moves in the ring, is pitch-perfect, and you just can’t imagine anyone else in the role. In addition to a great lead, the film also has a terrific supporting cast, including the likes of Lena Headey and Nick Frost as Paige’s parents, and Vince Vaughn as Paige’s coach, a sort of water-downed version of his character from Hacksaw Ridge. The interactions between the characters, which include some great zingers, are some of the best scenes in the movie.

An ongoing theme in the film is not to judge a book by it’s cover. Piage, a Goth-like personality, competes against a number of blonde supermodel types. A more conventional film might reduce the blonds to stereotypes and amp up the animosity between them an Paige. In this film, however, these characters are shown to be normal people who are in the same boat as Paige. While it may be true that there are some feisty competitors in professional sports, they have become a tired cliché in films of this genre. This simple approach to depicting competition is a welcome breath of fresh air, and allows for a more genuine sense of growth for Paige.

Having both a heartfelt story and realistic characters however is not always enough to help a film stand out. Thankfully, this film has one other key ingredient: energy. This is especially necessary in a story about wrestling, which is an adrenaline-fueled sport. All of the actors bring their A-game to the wrestling scenes, and they are exciting to watch. The energy can even be found in the film’s soundtrack, which includes a spunky cover of Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business”, by a band whose name I’m afraid to mention in this review (imagine a dirty sounding version of “Thundercats”).

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson makes an extended cameo appearance in this film, and it’s a welcome return to form after starring in both Rampage and Skyscraper last year. However, some moments of him on-screen, including a less-than-subtle nod to his public feud with Vin Diesel, feel a bit too meta and do nothing but massage Johnson’s ego. Of course, Johnson is impossible not to find charming, and his impact on professional wrestling cannot be understated (he is “The Rock,” after all), but egos do need a break every once in a while. Maybe Merchant, who acted with Johnson in 2010’s Tooth Fairy, wanted to give him a more proud role? It doesn’t matter, The Rock still rocks!

Now, I try not to get personal in my reviews, but want to make an exception here. Even though I enjoy writing my reviews, I never really know if they are being read. But, in the last third of the film, Paige said a phrase that stuck with me: “Just because millions of people aren’t watching you, it doesn’t mean what you’re doing is not important.” At that point that the film seduced me with its earnest story about doing what you love.

In the end, I highly recommend seeing Fighting with my Family. There is something in it for everyone, including both wrestling fans and general filmgoers. With great performances, a genuine approach to sportsmanship, and a surprising amount of energy, this film proves that you cannot always judge a book by its cover, or a film by its trailer.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Dwayne JohnsonFlorence PughHacksaw RidgeJohn CenaLady Macbethlena headeynick frostpaigethe rockVince VaughnWrestlingWWEwwe paige interviewWWE Studioswwe superstar paige
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Jake King

previous post
A Casual Night Out Aided by North Hollywood’s The Woodman
next post
On The Scene: Michael B. Jordan Partners with Bacardi for Exclusive Mixology Class

Related Posts

Remember This: A one man film telling a...

January 28, 2023

Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

January 27, 2023

80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York...

January 25, 2023

On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo...

January 25, 2023

Interview With Musician Meg Baird

January 25, 2023

The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature...

January 25, 2023

Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini...

January 24, 2023

MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED,...

January 24, 2023

Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A...

January 24, 2023

Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

January 23, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Digital Cover No. 16

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm! @champ Thank you for having us tonight @siriusxm!

@champagnepapi live at #TheApollo along with #LilUzi, @21savage #Dipset 

Covered by @bolly.hood
Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks ne Writer / director / producer @kenyabarris talks new @netflix film “You People” at a special screening @paristheaternyc
We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wo We spoke with @sarahmgellar at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere We spoke with @chloeroserobertson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @w We spoke with @armanijackson at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere o We spoke with @tylerlawrencegray at the premiere of @wolfpackonpplus last night! 🐺
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Entertainment

      Red Carpet Premiere of Paramount+’s ‘Wolf Pack’

      January 23, 2023

      Entertainment

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      Events

      On The Scene: Dolphland Pop-Up Museum Cocktail Reception

      January 22, 2023

      Film

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Film

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Film

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      Film

      Cast Talks ‘Missing’ at the Los Angeles Premiere

      January 23, 2023

      The Kontenders

      KnockturnaLIST: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2022

      December 30, 2022

      The Kontenders

      BHFF Review: ‘Harbinger’ COVID Horror At Its Most Chilling

      November 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022: Aftersun

      October 7, 2022

      The Kontenders

      NYFF 2022 Opening Night: White Noise

      October 7, 2022

      Theater

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Theater

      Theater Review: Death of a Salesmen

      December 27, 2022

      Theater

      Review: Life Imitates Art in “The Collaboration”

      December 22, 2022

      Theater

      Review: “Some Like it Hot” is Blazing on Broadway

      December 19, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      TV

      Actor Mo McRae To Release Directorial Debut ‘A Lot of Nothing’

      January 24, 2023

      TV

      ‘The Last of Us’ Season 1, Episode 2 Review

      January 23, 2023

      TV

      Netflix and Michael Kors Host Red Carpet Celebration For Launch of ‘Bling Empire…

      January 20, 2023

      Entertainment

      Remember This: A one man film telling a story of humanity’s greatest crimes

      January 28, 2023

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Entertainment

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Entertainment

      Swingers NoMad Brings A New Type Of Mini Golf To NYC

      January 24, 2023

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Koncerts

      This Weekend: Nina Kraviz, Magdalena, Kevin de Vries and KAS:ST Launch Teksupport and…

      January 19, 2023

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Events

      Carnegie Hall Presents A Night of Inspiration

      December 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      City Girls and Flo Milli Perform at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop to Celebrate the…

      November 19, 2022

      News

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      News

      Interview With Musician Meg Baird

      January 25, 2023

      News

      Wine And Spirites Tasting and Interview With Owner Debbie Ellen Jones, Of Ellen’s…

      December 28, 2022

      News

      Interview With Chef, Matt Abdoo, at Zippo’s Brand Dinner in NYC!

      December 13, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Demetrius Fleneroy Jr. Talks BMF’s Second Season

      January 27, 2023

      Music

      Music with a Message – White Dove

      January 26, 2023

      Music

      80purppp Performs Latest Single “Uni” in New York City

      January 25, 2023

      Music

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      The New York EDITION Unveils 2022 Christmas Tree From Sarah Coleman

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      LA3C WRAPS INAUGURAL TWO DAY FESTIVAL

      December 20, 2022

      Art

      Art Review: Jennifer Elster Taps Into Visceral Memory With New Show at The…

      December 13, 2022

      Art

      Anna Delvey Hosts Intimate Art Showcase During Miami Art Basel

      December 12, 2022

      Events

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

      Events

      MISTER PARADISE ANNOUNCES EXTENSIVE NEW MENU WITH SOPHISTICATED, CULINARY-INSPIRED COCKTAILS

      January 24, 2023

      Events

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive Interview with Jason Rembert

      January 19, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Night With Cuba’s First Private Fashion Brand, Clandestina

      January 17, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      A Valentine’s Tale Told Through Jewelry

      January 13, 2023

      Fashion & Beauty

      Celebrating a Low Waste, High Impact Holiday With Women & Climate and The…

      December 20, 2022

      Sports

      The American Express x NBA 2K23 Lab: Day 3

      December 19, 2022

      Sports

      ON THE SCENE: DRY CHALLENGE AT SLT TREAD

      December 11, 2022

      Sports

      Chief Brand Officer Rich Orosco Talks All Things LAFC & MLS.

      December 6, 2022

      Sports

      We Chat W/ MLS EVP, Commissioner’s Office & Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion…

      November 22, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Unifying the World with ‘Lest People Forget’

      January 26, 2023

      Lifestyle

      Inside a Travel Workout Day at EVEN Hotel

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      On The Scene: Drake Live At The Apollo Sunday Night

      January 25, 2023

      Lifestyle

      The New York Jewish Film Festival 2023 Feature Showcase

      January 25, 2023

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch