Fighting with My Family is a 2019 biographical sports comedy-drama film written and directed by Stephen Merchant. Based on the 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family by Max Fisher, it depicts the career of English professional wrestler Paige as she makes her way to WWE, while also following her brother Zak Zodiac, as he struggles with his failure to achieve similar success. Florence Pugh and Jack Lowden star as Paige and Zodiac respectively, alongside Lena Headey, Nick Frost, Vince Vaughn, and Dwayne Johnson, with the latter also acting as producer.
The film follows the Knight family, a family of professional wrestlers living in Norwich, England. The family consists of parents Ricky and Julia, and their children Paige and Zak. The children are both passionate about wrestling, and they both dream of one day making it to WWE.
Paige gets her chance when she is invited to try out for WWE in America. She passes the tryout, and she is offered a contract. Zak is also invited to try out, but he is not successful.
Paige moves to America to train at the WWE Performance Center. She quickly becomes one of the most popular wrestlers in the company. She wins the NXT Women's Championship, and she is eventually called up to the main roster.
Zak remains in England, and he struggles to find success in wrestling. He becomes jealous of Paige's success, and he starts to resent her.
The film explores the themes of family, dreams, and sibling rivalry. It is a heartwarming and inspiring story about a young woman who achieves her dream, despite all odds.
Fighting with My Family was a commercial success, grossing over $40 million worldwide. It was praised for its strong performances, its heartwarming story, and its comedic elements. The film was also nominated for several awards, including the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Comedy and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
Fighting with My Family is a feel-good film that is sure to please audiences of all ages. It is a story about following your dreams and never giving up, even when things are tough.
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Cast
- Florence Pugh as Saraya "Paige" Bevis, Zak's little sister and Patrick and Julia's daughter. Her stunts during wrestling scenes were performed by Tessa Blanchard.
- Tori Ellen Ross as young Paige
- Lena Headey as Julia "Sweet Saraya Knight" Hamer, Paige and Zak's mother and Patrick's wife.
- Nick Frost as Patrick "Rowdy Ricky Knight" Bevis, Paige and Zak's father and Julia's husband.
- Jack Lowden as Zak "Zodiac Knight" Bevis, Paige's older brother and Patrick and Julia's son.
- Vince Vaughn as Hutch Morgan, a recruiter and coach for the WWE.
- Dwayne Johnson as himself/The Rock
- James Burrows as Roy Knight, Patrick's son, Julia's stepson and Zak and Paige's older half-brother.
- Hannah Rae as Courtney, Zak's girlfriend and mother of his son, Caden.
- Thea Trinidad as April Jeanette "AJ Lee" Mendez
- Kim Matula as Jeri-Lynn
- Aqueela Zoll as Kirsten
- Ellie Gonsalves as Maddison
- Elroy Powell as Union Jack
- Jack Gouldbourne as Calum
- Stephen Merchant as Hugh, Courtney's father.
- Julia Davis as Daphne, Courtney's mother.
Additionally, WWE wrestlers Big Show, Sheamus and The Miz make appearances as themselves, while an uncredited actor played John Cena. Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, and John Layfield provide commentary on the Paige vs. AJ Lee match. Several other WWE wrestlers (including Cena himself), as well as the real Knight family, appear in archival footage throughout the film, while Zak Zodiac himself appears in a cameo as a gang lieutenant.
Director: Steve Merchant
Writers: Steve Merchant
Box Office Gross: $41,503,392
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Genre: Biography Comedy Drama Sport
Release Date: February 14, 2019