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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Chuck (2017): Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Chuck (2017) movie poster

Chuck is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Philippe Falardeau. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $502,518 worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$502.5K
Echo Score
72
Metascore
68
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Chuck (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Chuck About?

The premise of Chuck without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This gritty biography follows Chuck Wepner, an underdog boxer who gets a surprising shot at the world heavyweight title against Muhammad Ali. Beginning as a liquor salesman and father, Chuck's inspiring true story explores his journey to the ring, showcasing his determination and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s a compelling drama about courage and the pursuit of a dream.

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Crew

The Director of Chuck

Directed by Philippe Falardeau.

From the director

More from Philippe Falardeau

More films directed by Philippe Falardeau, best-rated first: Monsieur Lazhar, The Good Lie, My Salinger Year and My Internship in Canada.

Full filmography
Ratings

Chuck Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Chuck 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

72 /100

Chuck Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s strongest asset is its committed central performance, though its narrative familiarity restrains its impact. Critics consistently highlight the lead’s charismatic portrayal and reliable supporting cast, while noting the straightforward biopic structure offers few surprises. Period details and production design evoke the 1970s with authenticity, yet the drama outside the ring often feels formulaic and underdeveloped. Despite competent direction and solid pacing, the story’s reliance on familiar tropes prevents it from achieving deeper resonance. Overall, Chuck delivers a respectable character study that earns praise for its performances but falls short of true originality.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film offers authentic production design but limited visual innovation. Period-accurate costume and set details evoke the 1970s effectively, and editing maintains clear scene transitions. Direction remains serviceable without distinctive stylistic flourishes, and cinematography supports narrative clarity rather than experimentation. Overall, the visual approach is solid but unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are the film’s primary strength. The lead delivers a nuanced portrayal of ambition and decline, and supporting roles provide credible emotional counterpoints. Chemistry between the protagonists underpins key dramatic moments, and secondary characters enrich the interpersonal dynamics. While some emotional beats follow expected patterns, the overall depiction resonates through well-paced character development and authentic on-screen relationships.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is coherent but largely familiar. Pacing within the ring scenes maintains engagement, yet dramatic arcs outside boxing follow predictable rhythms. Originality is limited by conventional biopic structure, and some plot points feel derivative. Despite functional storytelling and solid rhythm, the screenplay rarely ventures beyond established genre expectations.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    When it comes to sensory experience, period touches lend authenticity but the audio elements remain understated. Set design, costumes, and makeup vividly evoke the 1970s milieu, and sound design supports arena sequences with clear impacts. The musical score complements the era without adding distinctive identity. Overall, the audiovisual palette reinforces the setting yet stops short of creating a memorable sensory signature.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s central performance provides replay value, but its predictable structure limits repeat appeal. Viewers may return for the lead’s charismatic energy and authentic period details, yet the lack of narrative surprises reduces subsequent enjoyment. While technical competence invites surface-level revisits, the story’s conventional approach undermines deeper lasting appeal upon multiple viewings.

Plot

Chuck Plot Summary

What happens in Chuck from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Chuck Wepner, known as the Bayonne Bleeder, is a heavyweight boxer whose reputation rests on a stubborn chin and a habit of taking risks that blur the line between grit and self-destructiveness. He shares a modest home in New Jersey with his second wife, Phyllis, and their daughter Kimberly, weaving a life that mixes hard-nosed boxing with personal turmoil. By 1974, he is climbing the ranks and eyeing a future shot at the heavyweight crown, even as he defeats challengers like Terry Hinke along the way.

Full summary

The whole story of Chuck, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Chuck Box Office

Chuck grossed $502,518 worldwide. $320,725 came from the US and Canada and $181,793 (36%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$502.5K

US & Canada
$320.7K
International
$181.8K
US & Canada 64% Rest of the world 36%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Chuck?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What nickname was given to Chuck Wepner because of his reputation for taking punches?

Details

Chuck Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “The Bleeder” and “더 블리더”.

Also known as
  • The Bleeder
  • 더 블리더
  • 척
  • Реальний Роккі
  • Punhos de Sangue
  • Реальный Рокки
  • Sângerătorul
  • Outsider
  • Chuck: Η Ιστορία Του Πραγματικού Rocky Balboa
  • The Bleeder - O Verdadeiro Campeão
  • Droga mistrza
  • 流血的拳击手
+12 more
  • Chuck - Der wahre Rocky
  • 록키 블리더
  • רוקי: הסיפור האמיתי
  • Чак
  • Ütésálló
  • Skutečný Rocky Balboa
  • La Leyenda: La historia del verdadero Rocky Balboa
  • Kraujuotojas
  • The Bleeder - La storia del vero Rocky Balboa
  • Skutočný Rocky Balboa
  • Кървящият
  • สุภาพบุรุษหยุดสังเวียน

Seen Chuck?

FAQ

Chuck FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Chuck, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Chuck?

Chuck runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Chuck released?

Chuck was released on May 5, 2017.

Who directed Chuck?

Chuck was directed by Philippe Falardeau.

More films by Philippe Falardeau

How much did Chuck make at the box office?

Chuck grossed $502,518 worldwide ($320,725 domestic, $181,793 international).

How is Chuck rated?

Chuck has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic, 3.3/5 on Letterboxd and 4.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Chuck have a post-credit scene?

No. Chuck has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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