“I was drawn to the project because I didn’t know the story”: Brian Tyree Henry, Ryan Destiny and Rachel Morrison on The Fire Inside

The Fire Inside is a gripping, true-to-life depiction of Claressa Shields (Ryan Destiny), a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, who defies overwhelming odds to become the first American boxer to win two Olympic gold medals. Guided by her no-nonsense coach and mentor Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry), her path to glory is defined by extraordinary resilience. Rachel Morrison’s assured direction brings a raw realism to the typically glorious genre, transforming Flint into a haunting, larger-than-life presence rather than a mere backdrop. Barry Jenkins’s nuanced screenplay honours Shields’s determination while exploring the complexities and contradictions of the modern American dream.

Ahead of the film’s release, Rachel Morrison spoke with The Upcoming about why Shields’s story resonated with her on a personal level and the importance of authentically capturing Flint’s landscape.

Destiny and Henry also spoke with The Upcoming, revealing that they were previously unaware of Shields’s journey and shared what ultimately drew them to the project.

Christina Yang

The Fire Inside is released nationwide on 7^th February 2025.

Watch the trailer for The Fire Inside here: