'Bruised': 5 things to know about Halle Berry and cast of the sports drama
Halle Berry's directorial debut with 'Bruised' had its world premiere at AFI Fest and will have a brief theatrical run before hitting Netflix. The Oscar winner's flick was dubbed "problematic" by The Hollywood Reporter but stated that her acting strength was undiminished. The film had its world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2020, and opened to positive reviews.
Starring as Jackie Justice, Berry plays a disgraced MMA fighter who returns to the ring while attempting to fix her fractured family relationships. Berry returns on the big screen after starring as Sofia in 'John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum' and her latest movie slated to release November 24 on Netflix.
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Netflix 'Bruised': 5 things to know about Halle Berry's directorial debut
The official synopsis reads: "Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) is a mixed martial arts fighter who leaves the sport in disgrace. Down on her luck and simmering with rage and regret years after the fight, she’s coaxed into a brutal underground fight by her manager and boyfriend Desi (Adan Canto) and grabs the attention of a fight league promoter (Shamier Anderson) who promises Jackie a life back in the octagon. But the road to redemption becomes unexpectedly personal when Manny (Danny Boyd, Jr.) — the son she gave up as an infant — shows up at her doorstep. BRUISED marks the directorial debut of Academy Award winner Halle Berry and also stars Adriane Lenox, Sheila Atim, Valentina Shevchenko, and Stephen McKinley Henderson in a triumphant story of a fighter who reclaims her power, in and out of the ring, when everyone has counted her out."
Ahead of the movie's release, we take a look at who plays whom in the much-awaited flick.
Halle Berry as Jackie Justice
Berry plays Jackie Justice, a disgraced MMA champ in the movie. The 55-year-old made history for being the first becoming the first and only African-American woman to have won the award. In addition, she was also one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood during the 2000s. She garnered global recognition for starring in 'Boomerang' (1992), alongside Eddie Murphy. Berry is best known for her role as the mutant Storm in the 'X-Men' movies. Her other major roles include, 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' and 'John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum'.
Valentina Shevchenko as Lady Killer
The Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian fighter is a renowned name in the MMA circuit and is the current UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. The 33-year-old plays Lady Killer in the movie.
Lela Loren
The 'Power' star is all set to star in 'Bruised' and although details of her role is unknown, the flick adds to the list of movies she's starred in. The actress is known for her roles in 'American Gods', 'Altered Carbon', and 'NCIS'
Other cast
Shamier Anderson essays Immaculate, an MMA league owner responsible for arranging the fight between Jackie and Lady Killer. Adan Canto, Sheila Atim, and Stephen McKinley Henderson round up the rest of the cast.