Fans of gritty sports dramas can now watch one of the genre’s more entertaining films starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams for free. Lionsgate has announced that it is streaming Antoine Fuqua’s 2015 film Southpaw for free on YouTube. Interested viewers can watch the film on the studio’s official YouTube channel.
Following its release, Southpaw holds a 59% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, its audience score reveals that viewers were thoroughly entertained by Gyllenhaal’s boxing drama, at 75%. Made on a budget of $30 million, the film grossed over $91 million worldwide. Gyllenhaal was praised for his performance in the film.
Southpaw follows a boxer fighting to rebuild his life after tragedy
Southpaw tells the story of Gyllenhaal playing Billy “The Great” Hope, a rising light heavyweight boxing champion. Billy starts with having a loving family and lifestyle, but it’s all ruined after a fatal incident involving gun violence. After losing his wife (McAdams), the film follows Billy’s fight to get custody of his daughter after hitting rock bottom. Along the way, Billy finds a surprising friend in Tick Wills, played by Forest Whitaker, a former fighter who now trains amateur boxers.
Besides Gyllenhaal, McAdams, and Whitaker, the film stars 50 Cent, Oona Laurence, Naomie Harris, Rita Ora, and more. Fuqua directed the film from a script by Kurt Sutter. It is produced by Fuqua, Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Peter Riche, Alan Riche, and Jerry Ye. The film is dedicated to composer James Horner, who died shortly before it was released.
Most recently, Gyllenhaal starred in The Bride! and In the Grey. He will next be seen in M. Night Shyamalan’s Remain and Road House 2. Fuqua most recently directed the smash hit Michael and is expected to return to helm its sequel.
