🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Stephen Merchant
- Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Sport
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 48min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (96K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A goth girl from a family of wrestlers accidentally becomes a WWE superstar while her brother realizes that teaching blind kids to grapple is his true calling.
🍿 Fighting with My Family: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Knight Family
The film introduces the Knight family, a tight-knit wrestling family from Norwich, England. Ricky and Julia Knight, along with their children Saraya and Zak, run a small wrestling promotion. Wrestling is their life, and they all share a passion for the sport.

WWE Tryouts
Saraya and Zak get the opportunity of a lifetime when WWE holds tryouts in London. They both aspire to become WWE superstars. The tryouts are grueling, both physically and mentally, pushing them to their limits.

Only One Can Make It
Ultimately, only Saraya is chosen to move forward and train at WWE’s developmental program, NXT. This creates a rift between Saraya and Zak, as Zak feels his dream has been shattered while Saraya’s is just beginning.

Saraya’s Struggles in NXT
Saraya faces challenges adjusting to the WWE’s style, feeling out of place among the other aspiring wrestlers, who have different backgrounds than hers. She struggles with the performance aspect of WWE, finding it difficult to portray the persona they expect of her. She also tries to conform by bleaching her hair but this only worsens her identity crisis.

Rediscovering Herself
After a period of self-doubt, Saraya decides to embrace her unique qualities and her wrestling roots. She stops trying to be someone she’s not and focuses on her strengths. This leads to a change in her performance and attitude.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Saraya Knight (Florence Pugh): Saraya, known as Paige in the ring, is a determined young woman from a wrestling family who dreams of making it big in the WWE.
- Zak Knight (Jack Lowden): Zak is Saraya’s supportive but also envious brother, who grapples with his own unrealized wrestling dreams as she rises in the WWE.
- Ricky Knight (Nick Frost): Ricky is the patriarch of the Knight family, a former wrestler who now runs a wrestling promotion with his wife and deeply supports his children’s ambitions.
- Julia Knight (Lena Headey): Julia is Ricky’s wife and Saraya’s mother, a tough and loving woman who is also a wrestler and helps run the family business.
- Hutch (Vince Vaughn): Hutch is a WWE talent scout who is initially skeptical but recognizes Saraya’s potential and helps guide her journey.
- Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (Dwayne Johnson): Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays himself, offering advice and encouragement to Saraya and Zak.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Paige: “This is my house!” – Paige shouts this after winning the WWE Divas Championship, marking her arrival and ownership of her dream.
- Hutch: “You know, wrestling isn’t about fighting. It’s about telling a story.” – Hutch explains the essence of professional wrestling beyond the physical aspect.
- Ricky Knight: “Dick me dead, and bury me pregnant.” – Ricky Knight says this to express his shock.
- Dwayne Johnson: “You gotta be yourself, but more.” – The Rock gives Paige advice on developing her unique wrestling persona.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $11,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $22,958,886
- Worldwide Gross: $41,503,392
💥 Fighting with My Family Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely loved this movie! As someone who knew nothing about wrestling, I was completely drawn in by the story of Paige and her family. It was so funny and heartwarming, and I found myself really rooting for her. The scene where she finally realizes her worth and embraces her unique style gave me goosebumps. I left the theater feeling inspired to pursue my own dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Wrestling fans”
- “Fans of underdog stories”
- “People who enjoy British comedies”
- “Families looking for an inspiring film”
- “Fans of Florence Pugh”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some language”
- “Mild violence (wrestling)”
- “Some mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Stephen Merchant delivers a surprisingly heartwarming and funny film about family, dreams, and the unexpected path to success. Florence Pugh shines as Paige, capturing her grit and vulnerability.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “A crowd-pleasing underdog story that transcends its wrestling backdrop. Vince Vaughn’s cynical coach balances the film’s inherent sentimentality, while the supporting cast adds genuine heart.
- Variety: “An engaging and ultimately uplifting tale of a young woman finding her place in the world. While it adheres to familiar sports movie tropes, the genuine affection for its characters makes it a winner.
Audience Reactions
Florence Pugh’s incredible performance as Paige was captivating and authentic.: Viewers praised the film’s humor, heart, and the inspiring message about family and pursuing dreams.
The movie is great for wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike.: Many reviewers highlighted the film’s ability to appeal to a broad audience, regardless of their familiarity with professional wrestling.
Overall Consensus: A feel-good, underdog story that resonates with audiences due to its humor, heart, and strong performances, particularly from Florence Pugh.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Dwayne Johnson saw the documentary ‘The Wrestlers: Fighting With My Family’ on Channel 4 and was so moved that he decided to produce a film based on it.”
- “Stephen Merchant, the director and writer, admitted he knew very little about wrestling before taking on the project, highlighting his focus on the family dynamics rather than just the wrestling aspect.”
- “The real Knight family appears in the end credits footage from the original documentary, adding a layer of authenticity to the film.”
🖥️ How to Watch Fighting with My Family?
Fighting with My Family is available for streaming on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. You can rent or purchase the movie on these platforms. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Fighting with My Family, you might like these similar films:
- The Wrestler (2008): A raw and emotional look at the life of a professional wrestler, exploring themes of sacrifice and the pursuit of a dream, though with a darker tone.
- Rocky (1976): Classic underdog story about fighting for a chance to prove oneself, mirroring Paige’s journey to WWE.
- Glow (2017-2019): Dramedy series about women’s wrestling in the 1980s, exploring similar themes of female empowerment and overcoming adversity in the wrestling world.
🛒 Fighting with My Family Related Products
- WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment, New Edition: A comprehensive guide to the world of WWE, perfect for fans who want to learn more about the history and superstars featured in the movie.
- WWE 2K24: Play as your favorite WWE Superstars. Experience iconic rivalries. Relive wrestling history.
- Fighting with My Family [Blu-ray]: Own the movie and relive the heartwarming story of Paige’s journey to WWE stardom. Includes bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
- WWE Authentic Paige ‘This Is My House’ T-Shirt: Show your support for Paige with an official WWE t-shirt featuring her iconic catchphrase from the movie’s climax.
🎧 Soundtrack
Fighting with My Family features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Electrifying” – performed by Jim Johnston
- “The Ballroom Blitz” – performed by Sweet
- “Iron Maiden” – performed by Van Load of Aspiring Wrestling youngsters
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Fighting with My Family is based on the true story of WWE wrestler Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) and her wrestling family, the Knights. It chronicles her journey from a small-town wrestling promotion to the WWE.
Fighting with My Family was primarily filmed in the United Kingdom, specifically in Norwich and Bracknell. Some scenes were also filmed in Florida, USA, to represent Paige’s time in WWE’s NXT developmental program.
The main actors in Fighting with My Family include Florence Pugh as Saraya Knight/Paige, Jack Lowden as Zak Knight, Nick Frost as Ricky Knight, Lena Headey as Julia Knight, and Vince Vaughn as Hutch. Dwayne Johnson also appears as himself.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Rock Dwayne Johnson surprised fans at Atlanta movie theater
Watch the heartwarming moment where The Rock surprises unsuspecting ‘Fighting with My Family’ fans! See how they react when they discover their favorite star in the theater with them.
Q&A with Dwayne Johnson & FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY Director Stephen Merchant
Curious about the making of ‘Fighting with My Family’? Join Dwayne Johnson and director Stephen Merchant in this engaging Q&A where they discuss the inspiration, characters, and the challenges of bringing this inspiring story to life.
Paige’s journey to WWE comes to the big screen this February in “Fighting with My Family”
Get a glimpse into the incredible true story of Paige, the WWE Superstar who went from humble beginnings to the grand stage. This behind-the-scenes video follows her journey and the making of the movie ‘Fighting with My Family’.
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