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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

The Featherweight (2024): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Featherweight (2024) movie poster

The Featherweight is a 2024 biographical drama directed by Robert Kolodny, starring James Madio as Willie Pep, Stephen Lang and Ron Livingston. It runs 1 hour 39 minutes and earned $22,011 worldwide. Critics gave it 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
worldwide gross
$22K
Echo Score
86
Metascore
79
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The Featherweight (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 39m (99 min)
Director
Robert Kolodny
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Featherweight About?

The premise of The Featherweight without spoilers.

In 1964 Hartford, former featherweight boxing champion Willie Pep faces mounting personal and financial difficulties. Burdened by debt and struggling with a strained relationship with his son and young wife, he decides to attempt a comeback. A camera crew follows him as he prepares to re-enter the boxing ring, documenting the challenges and determination involved in his pursuit of a second chance.

The Featherweight Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • boxing
  • based on real people
  • 1960s
  • 20th century
  • featherweight
  • boxer
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

The Featherweight Cast & Characters

James Madio leads the cast as Willie Pep, with Stephen Lang as Bill Gore and Ron Livingston as Bob Kaplan. Directed by Robert Kolodny; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Featherweight

· 16 more
Ratings

The Featherweight Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Featherweight 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (78).

86 /100

The Featherweight Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Featherweight delivers a compelling biographical portrait through confident direction and strong performances, while its period‑authentic visual design enhances immersion. Critics and viewers note the inventive documentary‑style framing and nuanced acting as central strengths. However, recurring comments about occasional shaky‑camera work and uneven pacing indicate where engagement can falter. The film’s blend of artful storytelling and modest technical flaws results in a solid, if not flawless, cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and production design, the film demonstrates confident execution, employing a documentary‑style framework that reinforces its period setting. Critics highlight inventive framing and effective recreation of historic boxing footage, while users praise the authentic look and thoughtful editing. The prevalent critique concerns excessive shaky‑camera, which detracts from visual stability. Overall, the artistic craftsmanship is strong despite isolated technical roughness.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    Regarding acting and character development, the ensemble delivers nuanced portrayals, with particular emphasis on the lead’s ability to embody the boxer’s complexities. Reviewers note the cast’s committed performances and effective chemistry, enhancing emotional resonance. Some criticism points to unlikable secondary characters, yet the overall impression is that character work anchors the narrative. Consequently, character execution stands out as a clear strength.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of plot construction and pacing, the film offers a well‑scripted biographical arc that maintains audience interest through inventive verité storytelling. Critics acknowledge its originality within the boxing subgenre and its measured pacing, though some note occasional slow sections and a desire for deeper exploration of the champion’s rise. The overall narrative delivers a coherent, engaging experience despite modest pacing lapses.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    The auditory and visual components combine to reinforce the period atmosphere, with a restrained soundtrack that aligns with emotional beats and historic footage that blends seamlessly with recreated scenes. Reviewers praise the effective use of archival material and the subtle sound design, while viewers cite the intentionally shaky‑camera technique as disorienting. Overall, the sensory palette supports immersion, though certain stylistic choices may impede comfort.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    Regarding repeat viewings, the film’s layered documentary approach and nuanced performances provide material that rewards subsequent analysis. Positive audience feedback emphasizes its worthiness of multiple watches, citing depth in character study and period details. Minor criticisms of pacing and visual instability may reduce immediate rewatch appeal for some viewers. Nonetheless, the overall structure and thematic resonance encourage a modest likelihood of revisiting.

Box office

The Featherweight Box Office

The Featherweight grossed $22,011 worldwide.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$22K

US & Canada
$22K
Videos

The Featherweight Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Featherweight.

Official Trailer
Details

The Featherweight Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “拳王佩普的第232個發薪日” and “더 페더웨이트”.

Also known as
  • 拳王佩普的第232個發薪日
  • 더 페더웨이트
  • 羽量级拳手

Seen The Featherweight?

FAQ

The Featherweight FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Featherweight?

The Featherweight runs 1 hour 39 minutes (99 minutes).

When was The Featherweight released?

The Featherweight was released on September 20, 2024.

Who directed The Featherweight?

The Featherweight was directed by Robert Kolodny.

Who is in the cast of The Featherweight?

The Featherweight stars James Madio as Willie Pep, Stephen Lang as Bill Gore and Ron Livingston as Bob Kaplan, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Featherweight make at the box office?

The Featherweight grossed $22,011 worldwide.

How is The Featherweight rated?

The Featherweight has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 79 on Metacritic and 51% on TMDB.

Does The Featherweight have a post-credit scene?

No. The Featherweight has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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