Review of Bruised (2021) by Tvjerry — 28 Nov 2021

Halle Berry plays a disgraced MMA fighter who has to make a comeback and she’s tackled this warts-and-all role with gusto as a vehicle for her to get grungy, dark and show off some impressive physical skills.

She embraces it with dedication that’s magnified by the fact that this is her first feature as a director. Her cast of supporting actors amplifies her performance, especially Danny Boyd (so touching as her 6-year-old son), Shelia Atim (her meditating trainer) and Adriane Lenox (her prickly mother).

The script is painfully predictable, every scene goes on too long and the tears flow continuously. As a result, the performances (and the brutal final fight) are the only reason to see it.