Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, violence, drugs in uplifting underdog true story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
They Fight
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Walt (André Holland) is fresh out of prison and trying to piece back together his life in THEY FIGHT. His older son followed him in a life on the streets and was killed, which he wants to now make right by being a positive presence in his younger son's life. But girlfriend, Ketta (Samira Wiley), isn't ready to take him back until he "puts in the work." Walt's known around his Southeast DC neighborhood for his boxing skills, so community center overseer Slim (Wendell Pierce) offers him a place to sleep in exchange for help coaching local kids some boxing techniques. The coaching will unexpectedly offer him a second chance to do things right, and his impact on the kids will be immeasurable.
Is It Any Good?
Although the final product doesn't come together as smoothly as it could have, this is a powerful story of resilience and redemption boasting a strong leading cast. They Fight is based on real people and events, and it's a classic rise-from-the-ashes biopic combined with an underdog sports tale. The filmmakers seemed to have trouble combining those two stories, though, with the first half a slow-moving development of Walt's release from prison and recovering of his life, and the second half a quick-paced exposition and resolution of the kids' boxing feats.
They almost feel like two different movies, with some innovative editing thrown into the second half that is out of touch with the look and tone of the first. Walt's potential drug relapse and his return to work are also glossed over. Holland and Pierce are a powerful duo, Wiley is charming, and the child actors in the roles of Peanut and Quincey show great potential. Stick around for images of the real people during the closing credits.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of Walt's release from prison and trouble piecing his life back together in They Fight. Did the portrayal feel realist? Why or why not?
How do characters in this film demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? How does this help them in their individual lives and also as a community?
The film is based on a real story, originally published as an article in The Washington Post. What other films have you watched that are based on true stories? What responsibility do journalists and filmmakers have to get people's stories right?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 17, 2026
- Cast : Andre Holland , Wendell Pierce , Samira Wiley
- Director : Sheldon Candis
- Studio : Hulu
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Competition , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Single Parents ) , Friendship , History ( Biopic ) , Sports ( Boxing )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 24, 2026
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