--- title: "Warrior: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/warrior/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/warrior" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Warrior (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 19 reviews: 13 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Warrior, finding its family drama persuasive despite a familiar sports-film plot. Praise centres on Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as the estranged brothers, with Nick Nolte also frequently singled out for giving the emotional scenes weight. The fights draw near-consistent approval for their choreography and physical force; favourable reviews see the violence as an expression of the characters’ troubles, making it possible to care about both brothers. The divide is over how much contrivance and sentiment those performances can carry, with responses ranging from enthusiastic approval to firm rejection. Even admirers acknowledge predictability, while more reserved reviews find the family story increasingly crowded out by tournament action. Total Film argues that the relentless fights overshadow the relationships; the Los Angeles Times finds the drama excessively manipulative despite the cast and Gavin O’Connor’s skill with emotional material. ## The AV Club — Alison Willmore Rating A-. 8 September 2011. It is a man-weepie of the highest Hollywood order and a would-be Rocky for an empire in decline that proves irresistible. The naturalistic camerawork and brutal MMA setting belie its focus on bruised American masculinity and economic desperation. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/warrior-1798169522) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3.5/4. 7 September 2011. The critic praises the film as a rare fight movie where audiences root for both brothers in the ring, combining a rags-to-riches structure with deep family drama. Strong performances, especially from the leads and Nick Nolte, elevate the action and emotional stakes. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/warrior-2011) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2011. The critic calls the picture a slam dunk despite its corny plot, praising its gripping quality and rich classical Hibernian gloom. The brutality extends the brothers’ inner turmoil, making the violence truly cathartic. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/09/movie_review_warrior.html) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 12 April 2011. The film balances brutal MMA action with family drama between estranged brothers, delivering thrilling matches and an uplifting climax. It is predictable but powerful and moving. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/warrior-2-review/) ## Radio Times — Alexia Skinitis Rating 4/5. This rousing mix of sports and family drama makes an impact with its thrilling pace and emotional finale. The intense performances by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are singled out as making the film powerful. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-hnvgct/warrior/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2011. O’Connor lays claim to being the finest sports-drama director with a deft knack for melding interpersonal drama with athletic competition. The first half considers its protagonists with empathy, and the MMA clashes deliver visceral wallops that leave viewers wanting more. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/warrior/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 August 2011. The critic finds it a sturdy, visceral entertainment that disguises an emotionally raw family drama as a brutal fight film. Superior to The Fighter, it rivets viewers with its male characters heading toward a tournament. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/warrior-film-review-220959/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. Warrior transcends typical sports-film flaws through strong performances and well-orchestrated fights. It carries viewers along despite some drawn-out scenes and length. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/warrior-review-7426780.html) ## Time Out — Anna Smith Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 20 September 2011. The film benefits from strong performances and well-choreographed fights but leans on clichés and coincidence in the plot. The cast, particularly the brothers and their father, is highlighted as a major strength. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/warrior) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 3/3/3. 22 September 2011. The critic finds it a rousing but sickly sentimental tale of sibling bonds. The barnstorming fight scenes are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/warrior) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 September 2011. Hardy and Edgerton deliver complex performances in a story of brothers in an MMA tournament. Relentless fights overshadow the family dynamics and leave the conclusion unsatisfying. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/warrior-1-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2011. The critic finds the film overly melodramatic and piled with contrivances in its testosterone-fueled family drama within the MMA world, though it acknowledges director Gavin O’Connor’s skill with emotional material. Strong performances help but the story feels excessively manipulative. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-warrior-20110909-story.html) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2011. The film targets adolescent boys with its cage-fighting focus and features estranged brothers in a tournament. The 140-minute runtime feels excessive and sadistic. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/warrior-12a-2359698.html) ## Screen Daily Rating **. 10 August 2011. Festival review. Compelling performances are undercut by an increasingly conventional family drama and ordinary sports-movie tropes. The strong early character work and authentic blue-collar milieu are noted before the film shifts to predictable action. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/warrior/5030662.article) ## The Guardian — Philip French 25 September 2011. A topical martial arts tale recalling Rocky and On the Waterfront leaves the critic feeling bruised. It is a crude, populist epic that makes the audience feel they are taking a beating in the cage with the fighters. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/sep/25/warrior-review-tom-hardy) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Rating Critic's Pick. 9 September 2011. The review highlights the film's blend of brutal MMA action with a tender story of brotherly love and family reconciliation. It commends the physical and emotional performances of Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as the estranged siblings. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/movies/warrior-directed-by-gavin-oconnor-review.html) ## The Telegraph 22 September 2011. Warrior looks like the Tom Hardy show but features equally weighted parts for the estranged brothers. Edgerton emerges as the movie’s true centre in a restrained performance, though the film is emotionally blatant. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8782632/Warrior-review.html) ## The Times 23 September 2011. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton put in strong performances but this story of brotherly combat isn’t quite a knockout. The three central performances are big and bold, but the film relies on clichés and the tournament feels tawdry. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/article/warrior-9xm2tp8h753) ## Variety — Joe Leydon 10 August 2011. The review calls it an improbably effective mix of raw emotions and exciting fights, praising the realistic character backstories and powerful lead performances from Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Nick Nolte. It notes the satisfying emotional payoff in the climactic match. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/warrior-1117945782/) ## HeyUGuys — Emma Thrower Rating 5/5. 19 August 2011. The critic calls it an exceptionally truthful and powerful film that knocks The Fighter out of the park. Tom Hardy's magnetic, authentic performance and the intense, well-crafted fight scenes stand out as the elements that make viewers deeply invest in both brothers. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/warrior-review/) ## Collider — Bill Graham Rating A-. 9 September 2011. The critic praises the strong performances and well-choreographed fights as highlights of this MMA drama, which overcomes its clichés with raw emotion and a story of redemption and forgiveness. [Read the review](https://collider.com/warrior-review/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 4/5. 20 September 2011. The critic calls Warrior a great piece of entertainment whose electrifying fights stand out despite some dramatic faltering later on. The standout praise goes to the razor-sharp editing, camera work, and sound design that convey the violence and danger in the ring. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/warrior-review/) ## Digital Spy — Ben Rawson-Jones Rating 4/5. 19 September 2011. The review finds the film contrived and predictable yet one of the more engrossing cinematic experiences of the year thanks to its raw emotion and thrilling climax. It singles out the potent, emotive lead performances by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, along with Nick Nolte's powerful supporting turn, for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a340636/warrior-review/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating B. 12 August 2011. Festival review. The review describes the film as silly, over-familiar and ludicrous in its sports-movie tropes but enormously effective thanks to grounded characters, strong lead performances and visceral fights. It works like gangbusters despite the clichés and contrived plot. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/empire-big-screen-11-review-warrior-is-silly-over-familiar-enormously-effective-20110812/) ## Eye for Film — Owen Van Spall Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 31 August 2011. The critic notes the film is derivative of other fight dramas like The Fighter with a predictable plot but praises the capable cast and visceral, well-shot combat sequences that keep it engaging. The resolution feels unearned due to contrived elements and limited brotherly interaction. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/warrior-film-review-by-owen-van-spall) ## The Wrap — Steve Pond 7 September 2011. The film packs a punch but doesn't quite go the distance. The critic praises the stirring and taut fight sequences and the cast's classic-Hollywood intensity while noting that the resolution falls flat. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/warrior-packs-punch-doesnt-quite-go-distance-30766/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/warrior.md