Raindance Film Festival 2025: Heavyweight
Jordan Bolger stars as an underdog boxer who’s set to have the biggest fight of his career in Heavyweight, the opening film at this year’s Raindance Film Festival. He’s got a shot at the title against the current heavyweight champion; however, events quickly go wrong moments after arriving at his dressing room. Shot in real-time within a single location, writer-director Christopher M Anthony has created the sports equivalent of Boiling Point as the pressure continues to build throughout the lead-up to the first bell.
Bolger is nothing short of phenomenal as the challenger “Diamond” Derek Douglas. Though the character appears to be calm on the outside when he strolls into the arena, Bolger effectively conveys how the mounting stress affects the fighter through subtle facial expressions and body language as the cracks begin to show. Whenever the pressure becomes too much, the emotion bursts out in explosive fashion. Joining Bolger is Nicolas Pinnock as Adam, Derek’s coach and reassuring voice of reason, who becomes the foundation for the film’s most poignant moments. Jason Isaacs likewise appears as fierce promoter Freddie. While he doesn’t appear on screen often, his commanding presence and fiery temper are a force to be reckoned with whenever he arrives on the scene.
The film is wonderfully paced from start to finish. The seeds of the plot that are planted in the opening section are gradually built upon throughout the course of the night, with each new detail adding to the increasing tension. No moment is as nail-bitingly taut as when Derek’s team attempts to conceal an accidental injury which could cancel the fight if discovered. With an unexpected visitor knocking at the door, this whole sequence is an exercise in tension.
As more is learned about the contender’s situation as the stressful evening wears on, Heavyweight puts its own spin on the inspirational underdog tale. While the finale hits the knockout blow the filmmaker was aiming for, there are some moments that verge too close on melodrama for them to have the same level of impact.
Fronted by a strong performance from Bolger alongside an excellent supporting cast, Heavyweight is a pressure cooker of tension that’s consistently entertaining throughout.
Andrew Murray
Heavyweight is released in select cinemas on 18th June 2025.
Watch the trailer for Heavyweight here:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS