X
  • 2018
  • Unrated
  • Sundance Selects
  • 1 h 21 m
  • 2018
  • Unrated
  • Sundance Selects
  • 1 h 21 m

Summary When life hits him hard, Joe Carman punches back. Newly 40, Joe juggles long hours working in a boiler room, an ongoing custody battle, his wife’s chronic illness, and the demands of raising four girls. The one place he finds release is in the ring, where he competes in the bruising sport of mixed martial arts. Despite the promise he mad...

Directed By: Jeff Unay

Written By: David Teague, Jeff Unay

  • 2018
  • Unrated
  • Sundance Selects
  • 1 h 21 m
  • 2018
  • Unrated
  • Sundance Selects
  • 1 h 21 m

The Cage Fighter

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
71
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary When life hits him hard, Joe Carman punches back. Newly 40, Joe juggles long hours working in a boiler room, an ongoing custody battle, his wife’s chronic illness, and the demands of raising four girls. The one place he finds release is in the ring, where he competes in the bruising sport of mixed martial arts. Despite the promise he mad...

Directed By: Jeff Unay

Written By: David Teague, Jeff Unay

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
71
71% Positive
5 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews
71
71% Positive
5 Reviews
29% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
91
Apr 11, 2017
The movie works as a fascinating psychological dissection, and avoids any precise judgement of Carman’s habits.
By Eric Kohn FULL REVIEW
80
Feb 1, 2018
At just 81 minutes, The Cage Fighter has been whittled down to its fighting weight, trimmed of every ounce of fat. Unay tells Carman's story without interviews or narration, but the film lands every punch without their help.
By Kimber Myers FULL REVIEW
75
Feb 2, 2018
A movie that’s a pleasure to watch.
By Glenn Kenny FULL REVIEW
75
Jan 28, 2018
The Cage Fighter isn't sentimental about the notion of an aging sports hero who needs one more day in the proverbial sun, recognizing that desire as macho folly.
By Chuck Bowen FULL REVIEW
70
Apr 26, 2017
An engaging and sympathetic documentary.
By Dennis Harvey FULL REVIEW
60
Feb 3, 2018
Lacking narration or graphics, the documentary employs a fly-on-the-wall approach that proves frustrating.
By Frank Scheck FULL REVIEW
60
Feb 1, 2018
The Cage Fighter is not riveting from moment to moment, but Mr. Unay allows the movie’s themes to click into place beautifully toward the end.
By Ben Kenigsberg FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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Details

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Production Company Cinereach, Lineage Films, The Filmmaker Fund
Release Date Feb 2, 2018
Duration 1 h 21 m
Rating Unrated
Genres
Tagline Every Day is a Battle
Website http://greywaterfilm.com/
View All Details

Awards

San Francisco International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Camden International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Philadelphia Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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