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The Rewatchables ·

Warrior

year 2011decade 10sdirector Gavin O'Connorgenre Sportsgenre Actiongenre Drama
host Bill Simmonsguest Ryen Russilloproducer Craig Horlbeck
All 17 categories

Most Rewatchable Scene · 37:51

Tommy’s first sparring fight

Ryen Russillo: Tommy volunteering to spar and rapidly destroying Mad Dog is selected for its physical shock and front-desk details.

Bill Simmons: Tommy surrendering his pills when asking his father to train him is another choice.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie? · 1:20:17

Fight-worn gloves or trunks

Bill Simmons: The Walkman, Moby-Dick tape, thrown coins, and Tommy's entrance pullover are considered.

The film

Warrior (2011)

Directed by Gavin O'Connor · Sports

140 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

14:27

What’s Aged the Best?

Hardy’s range, the Sparta concept, fight photography, the casino confrontation, Nolte, and Jennifer Morrison

Hardy’s range, the Sparta concept, fight photography, the casino confrontation, Nolte, and Jennifer Morrison

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 00:14:27Read transcript
  • Hardy is praised for moving between unusual roles rather than repeating one star persona. — Ryen Russillo
  • The MMA scenes remain believable because geography, distance, and brief in-cage shots preserve the feeling of watching a real event. — Bill Simmons
  • The sixteen-fighter Sparta structure is praised as a stronger version of an older tough-man-tournament premise. — Bill Simmons
  • The casino confrontation and its payoff in the hotel relapse remain the strongest dramatic material. — Ryen Russillo
  • Nolte’s lived experience with alcohol is connected to the force of the hotel performance. — Ryen Russillo
  • Jennifer Morrison is praised for playing a spouse who becomes supportive rather than remaining a stock obstacle. — Bill Simmons
  • Nolte’s long career, relapses, and comebacks give the role additional weight. — Bill Simmons
  • Tommy entering without music and leaving immediately after wins is praised as a durable signature. — Ryen Russillo
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28:57

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 00:28:57Read transcript
  • The stated score is three stars. — Bill Simmons
  • The quoted review says this is a rare fight movie in which the audience does not want either fighter to lose. — Bill Simmons
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37:51

Most Rewatchable Scene

Tommy’s first sparring fight; the final round

Tommy’s first sparring fight; the final round

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 00:37:51Read transcript
  • Tommy volunteering to spar and rapidly destroying Mad Dog is selected for its physical shock and front-desk details. — Ryen Russillo
  • Tommy surrendering his pills when asking his father to train him is another choice. — Bill Simmons
  • The multi-screen training montage is praised for accelerating the story. — Bill Simmons
  • Brendan's first Sparta fight is praised for the corner urging him not to tap through the end of the round. — Bill Simmons
  • The montage advancing both brothers to the final four is cited as highly rewatchable. — Bill Simmons
  • Brendan's third round against COBA is praised for the corner speech connecting victory to saving the house. — Bill Simmons
  • The final-fight entrances, cheap shot, broken arm, and last round set to the closing song form the final choice. — Bill Simmons
  • Tommy's first sparring scene is the other final choice because Hardy immediately sells the dangerous character. — Ryen Russillo
  • The casino confrontation is called the best dialogue scene but too painful to be the most rewatchable. — Bill Simmons
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52:28

What’s Aged the Worst?

The slow opening, changing attitudes toward MMA, the underwritten promoter, and scarce brother-to-brother scenes

The slow opening, changing attitudes toward MMA, the underwritten promoter, and scarce brother-to-brother scenes

In the discussion (5)
Approx. transcript time · 00:52:28Read transcript
  • The first forty minutes are slow for repeat viewing, though the pace is defended as purposeful. — Bill Simmons
  • A teacher fighting MMA would likely be admired by students now rather than carrying the same stigma. — Bill Simmons
  • The hedge-fund promoter played by the director is judged less vivid than the role's potential. — Bill Simmons
  • Brendan's wife briefly follows the familiar wet-blanket pattern before supporting him. — Bill Simmons
  • One more scene between the brothers before their final fight is requested. — Bill Simmons
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54:40

Casting What-Ifs

The studio resisted Nick Nolte, Kurt Angle plays Koba, and several supporting roles drew on real combat-sports figures.

The studio resisted Nick Nolte, Kurt Angle plays Koba, and several supporting roles drew on real combat-sports figures.

This discussion recalls a choice from an earlier episode.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:54:40Read transcript
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57:16

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

The unnamed school administrator

The unnamed school administrator

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:57:16Read transcript
  • The school administrator is recognized from Dave, Mad Love, a television vice-president role, and Transformers without the panel naming the actor. — Bill Simmons
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58:14

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Mad Dog

Mad Dog

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:14Read transcript
  • Nolte's intensity is defended as earned by the character's history. — Bill Simmons
  • Mad Dog is selected for pushing the smarmy antagonist performance during both stare-downs. — Bill Simmons
  • Anik's brief performance as the Sparta host is criticized before the category ends. — Bill Simmons
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58:51

The Teddy KGB Award for the Actor in a Completely Different Movie

No actor

No actor

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 00:58:51Read transcript
  • The panel says the cast shares one consistent dramatic register. — Bill Simmons
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59:05

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Frank Grillo

Frank Grillo

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 00:59:05Read transcript
  • Grillo wins for his forceful corner work. — Bill Simmons
  • The front-desk worker's waiver check, video, and later excitement make him the efficiency alternate. — Bill Simmons
  • Koba is considered, with Kurt Angle identified in the role. — Bill Simmons
  • Don Lemon's cameo is also considered. — Bill Simmons
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1:00:06

Recasting Couch

Stanley Tucci as the Sparta promoter

Stanley Tucci as the Sparta promoter

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:00:06Read transcript
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1:02:02

Half-Assed Internet Research

Injuries, the final song, an unused diner scene, Pittsburgh locations, remakes, and the release strategy

Injuries, the final song, an unused diner scene, Pittsburgh locations, remakes, and the release strategy

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:02Read transcript
  • Hardy gained twenty-eight pounds and carried the muscle into his next major role. — Bill Simmons
  • Edgerton tore his MCL and fight photography paused for six weeks. — Bill Simmons
  • Hardy sustained a broken toe, ribs, and finger during production. — Bill Simmons
  • The writers chose the National's closing song before writing the final scene and looped it while shaping the action. — Bill Simmons
  • A Nolte diner scene earned a first-day crew ovation but did not enter the finished movie. — Bill Simmons
  • The Iraq scenes were filmed in a Pittsburgh parking lot. — Bill Simmons
  • The story was remade as Brothers in India and again under the same title in Russia. — Bill Simmons
  • The director wanted a slow platform release, while the wider launch failed and was quickly pulled. — Bill Simmons
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1:04:05

Apex Mountain

The film’s director; Joel Edgerton; underground MMA movies; Sparta

The film’s director; Joel Edgerton; underground MMA movies; Sparta

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:05Read transcript
  • The movie is called the director's artistic apex despite its original commercial failure. — Bill Simmons
  • Bane is selected as Hardy's apex, with Mad Max, Dunkirk, and Inception considered. — Bill Simmons
  • Sparta is proposed as an Atlantic City apex before Rounders and a Sopranos reference are considered. — Bill Simmons
  • Nick Nolte receives an explicit apex check and is rejected. — Bill Simmons
  • The film is selected as Edgerton's apex because he holds his own opposite Hardy as a leading man. — Bill Simmons
  • Underground MMA movies and Sparta are declared apex cases. — Bill Simmons
  • Grillo and Brian Callen are placed near their apexes, while Pittsburgh is placed with its 1979 sports teams and The Deer Hunter. — Bill Simmons
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1:07:48

Picking Nits

Tournament entry, scheduling, UFC competition, internet exposure, recovery, odds, and montage length

Tournament entry, scheduling, UFC competition, internet exposure, recovery, odds, and montage length

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:48Read transcript
  • Both unknown brothers entering a sixteen-person five-million-dollar tournament so easily is questioned. — Bill Simmons
  • Consecutive-day fights would create unacceptable health risk. — Bill Simmons
  • A non-UFC promoter finding sixteen credible fighters in 2011 is debated. — Ryen Russillo
  • Tommy's desertion and the brothers' relationship should have surfaced online before the final. — Bill Simmons
  • Brendan fighting again immediately after the COBA bout is considered implausible. — Bill Simmons
  • A thousand-to-one price on a former UFC fighter in a sixteen-person field is rejected as impossible bookmaking risk. — Bill Simmons
  • The montages are long but defended as necessary and as a Rocky homage. — Bill Simmons
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1:12:40

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

The announced television version

The announced television version

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:40Read transcript
  • The proposed series would follow four fighters per season and use Sparta to examine poverty, incarceration, addiction, and other struggles outside the cage. — Bill Simmons
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1:14:40

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Hardy’s possible star range, an alternate final, the broken shoulder, and real examples of fighting through injury

Hardy’s possible star range, an alternate final, the broken shoulder, and real examples of fighting through injury

In the discussion (4)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:40Read transcript
  • Hardy is compared with DiCaprio to ask whether softer leading-man roles were ever plausible for him. — Ryen Russillo
  • A Koba-versus-Tommy final is rejected because the brothers’ fight resolves the family story without diminishing Tommy. — Ryen Russillo
  • The exact shoulder or elbow injury and whether a real commission would stop the fight are questioned. — Ryen Russillo
  • A real bout in which an arm broke before the fighter submitted is offered as evidence of extreme pain tolerance. — Ryen Russillo
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1:20:17

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

Fight-worn gloves or trunks

Fight-worn gloves or trunks

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:20:17Read transcript
  • The Walkman, Moby-Dick tape, thrown coins, and Tommy's entrance pullover are considered. — Bill Simmons
  • Fight-worn gloves or trunks are the preferred objects. — Bill Simmons
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1:21:10

Who Won the Movie?

Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:21:10Read transcript
Podcast choices
Speaker not identified
Nick Nolte
Speaker not identified
Nick Nolte
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More from the conversation

The opening argues MMA offers more believable upset mechanics and screen action than boxing.
Approx. transcript time · 00:02:33Read transcript
The movie’s commercial failure and long cable and streaming afterlife make it an underdog rewatchable in its own right.
Approx. transcript time · 00:06:32Read transcript
The director’s sports films are praised for placing authentic sport inside larger character stories.
Approx. transcript time · 00:10:44Read transcript
A four-director sports-movie Mount Rushmore names Ron Shelton, John Avildsen, Gavin O’Connor, and Michael Ritchie.
Approx. transcript time · 00:20:23Read transcript
The 2011 awards field is reviewed to argue that Warrior, Hardy, Nolte, and the director were overlooked.
Approx. transcript time · 00:26:14Read transcript
Russillo recounts being hired to host a supposed Boston premiere that turned out to be a nearly empty weekday screening in Braintree.
Approx. transcript time · 00:30:19Read transcript