Orlando Bloom’s Irish boxer drama gets release date and tense first look

The movie also stars Caitríona Balfe, John Turturro and Kin's Clare Dunne.

Directed by Sean Ellis (the Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan-starring Anthropoid) and featuring amongst its cast John Turturro (Severance), Caitríona Balfe (Outlander) and Clare Dunne (Kin), Bloom stars as a retired fighter obsessed with getting back in the ring - even if it costs him his life.

The plot synopsis reads: "The protagonist (Bloom) is known only as The Boxer. And boxing is virtually all he lives for.

"Ten years ago, a nasty cut took The Boxer out of commission. Ever since, he and his wife and trainer Caitlin (Balfe) have run a successful gym. It should be enough, but when another boxer unexpectedly dies before a title fight, The Boxer puts himself forward as a replacement and the event’s shady promoter decides to make him the new contender — everyone loves a comeback.

"The only problem is that, to qualify, The Boxer needs to drop a precipitous number of pounds in just six days. Enter Boz (Turturro), a brash trainer infamous for using every possible technique, legal or not.

"The harder The Boxer trains, the more painful childhood memories come surging back to haunt him."

The Cut had its world premiere last September at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned glowing reviews, with its harrowing story and powerful performances being singled out for praise.

Earlier in the year, JOE interviewed Caitríona Balfe about her action spy thriller The Amateur. When we asked about The Cut, she told us:

"It's a great film. It's about a boxer who's had his chance in the past and maybe given up on the dream of ever having another shot at a title. But something falls in his lap and he feels like he can't pass up that opportunity.

"I play his partner, professionally and romantically, and I think it's very hard to watch somebody live with disappointment but then also push themselves past perhaps the appropriate lines to run after that again.

"So it's good; it's a dark but great film."

The Cut will be out in Irish and UK cinemas from 5 September.