I am a big martial arts fan ,however this movie had nothing to do with martial arts or love or romance . The camera, dialogue,screen play and sound just awful it seemed the whole movie was recorded on a old phone
. I gave it one because that's the lowest score I can give here this movie deserve a minus 200 .don't waste your time very forgettable.
8 Reviews
Just don't waste your time
vvg-624802 April 2022
Different
BandSAboutMovies13 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A retired Muay Thai fighter named Nicky "Mitts" Malloy (Nick Sasso, who stars, wrote, produced, directed, edited and did visual effects for this movie) is a bouncer who was once an muay thai figher. One night, he rescues Nomi (Nomi Ruiz), a transgender entertainer, becoming her bodyguard and entering a relationship that will change both of them.
Ruiz - also known as Jessica 6 - contributed several songs to this film, including "Like a Ghost", "Savage", "Broken Toy," and what I really liked about her role in the film is that her trans status is just a fact. It's not a shock or played that way. It just is.
There are plenty of familiar faces here, like D.B. Sweeney as Nick's brother, Zoe Bell as his muay thai coach and Udo Keir pops up for a bit.
Sasso may not be the world's best actor, but he definitely has a great sense out of how to get the most production value out of this film. It looks gorgeous, with a neon palette and graphic novel sensibility. Just take a look at the poster. He's able to get that look in this movie as well.
For a feel good fight story, Haymaker avoids cliches. I look forward to seeing what Sasso and Ruiz do next.
Ruiz - also known as Jessica 6 - contributed several songs to this film, including "Like a Ghost", "Savage", "Broken Toy," and what I really liked about her role in the film is that her trans status is just a fact. It's not a shock or played that way. It just is.
There are plenty of familiar faces here, like D.B. Sweeney as Nick's brother, Zoe Bell as his muay thai coach and Udo Keir pops up for a bit.
Sasso may not be the world's best actor, but he definitely has a great sense out of how to get the most production value out of this film. It looks gorgeous, with a neon palette and graphic novel sensibility. Just take a look at the poster. He's able to get that look in this movie as well.
For a feel good fight story, Haymaker avoids cliches. I look forward to seeing what Sasso and Ruiz do next.
..a positive change..
corinnerivers19 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this quiet, unassuming film, but I write from a kind of insider perspective, and it's not for everyone, especially if you want something high drama and action packed.. this is subtle, slow to burn but the romantic angle is surprisingly realistic which may be difficult for most people to accept..
I found the chemistry between the two main actors just right, nothing gratuitous, not patronizing. We didn't need to be told everything.. Mr Sasso's quiet thoughtful demeanour - some would say deadpan or bland - I think suited the characters journey, from one of indifference, rejection to one of acceptance and eventually unconditional love, which is what it's all about.. it's a hard emotional road trip for a man of this character and sexuality, and I think Mr Sasso played it just right..
It's also to be commended that the female singer's background was not politicized and only briefly alluded to.. this makes a pleasant change from the usual negative portrayals one generally sees.
Sweet story and stunning visuals
imayatara18 January 2024
I was just zapping through tv channels and this was on one. Immediately caught my attention because of the visuals, which I found captivating. In 1 min I was captured by the characters and had to watch it until the end. I really loved the pace, the simplicity of the story, the realness about it. All in all, it felt really sweet and heartwarming.
I am a martial arts practicioner myself and found the training and tournament's scenes very well done. I know macho men will certainly feel some negativity towards this movie, probably expecting loads of violence and blood and mercilessness, but this was full of camaraderie and true sportsmanship and it was delightful to watch for a change (I usually detest fighting movies because of how belic they are and I think do not portray how the martial art community really is).
Also loved that one of the main characters being trans is just a footnote because what really matters is the love between two persons.
For sure I could find flaws if I wanted, but I truly enjoyed it all the way through, enveloped in the sweetness of it all, so I really don't care about the technical details that may have not been so great (I didn't notice them at all).
I am a martial arts practicioner myself and found the training and tournament's scenes very well done. I know macho men will certainly feel some negativity towards this movie, probably expecting loads of violence and blood and mercilessness, but this was full of camaraderie and true sportsmanship and it was delightful to watch for a change (I usually detest fighting movies because of how belic they are and I think do not portray how the martial art community really is).
Also loved that one of the main characters being trans is just a footnote because what really matters is the love between two persons.
For sure I could find flaws if I wanted, but I truly enjoyed it all the way through, enveloped in the sweetness of it all, so I really don't care about the technical details that may have not been so great (I didn't notice them at all).
Big Muay Thai fan
xo_rob_of_war29 January 2021
B-Masterpiece: This Film Deserves More Viewers
rjzm29 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this film. A B-flick Masterpiece that feels more like A cinema.
This film does not deserve a 4.0!
As a cis-gendered hetro male, i first heard about this film at work where we printed posters and other marketing promotional items. I watched the trailer and thought it looked interesting, but was unsure if this would be a great film... the trailer was well structured.
I finally watched the film this evening, dec 29 2023, and felt it was a sincere, well directed and acted film with beautiful cinimatography. The leads played by Nick Sasso and Nomi Ruiz had an amazing chemestry, that i was left wanting to see more of.
In the trailer, the scene were he questions the pic of a young boy, and Nomi says "its me" was a perfect introduction to this character as trans. It was not drawn out. Nics reaction was perfectly flat but accepting. Beautiful scene.
The muy thai training scenes were well done and fun to watch, and was perfectly acted. The main fight was a huge surprise for me.
All the party scenes were perfectly filmed. Excellent soundtrack, and colorful witty characters to fit the mood.
Haymaker is a beautiful, hypnotic film that drew me in immediately, and want to see more of these two characters in a sequel.
At 83 minutes, the editing is tight and the film feels more full than its runtime. There is a lot of story in those 83 minutes.
Although this may be a directoral debut, it did not feel as one. I loved this film so very much, and watched all the credits. Both Nick Sasso and Nomi wore many hats making this film, and this passion and skill shows in every minute captured.
Need more from you both!!
This film does not deserve a 4.0!
As a cis-gendered hetro male, i first heard about this film at work where we printed posters and other marketing promotional items. I watched the trailer and thought it looked interesting, but was unsure if this would be a great film... the trailer was well structured.
I finally watched the film this evening, dec 29 2023, and felt it was a sincere, well directed and acted film with beautiful cinimatography. The leads played by Nick Sasso and Nomi Ruiz had an amazing chemestry, that i was left wanting to see more of.
In the trailer, the scene were he questions the pic of a young boy, and Nomi says "its me" was a perfect introduction to this character as trans. It was not drawn out. Nics reaction was perfectly flat but accepting. Beautiful scene.
The muy thai training scenes were well done and fun to watch, and was perfectly acted. The main fight was a huge surprise for me.
All the party scenes were perfectly filmed. Excellent soundtrack, and colorful witty characters to fit the mood.
Haymaker is a beautiful, hypnotic film that drew me in immediately, and want to see more of these two characters in a sequel.
At 83 minutes, the editing is tight and the film feels more full than its runtime. There is a lot of story in those 83 minutes.
Although this may be a directoral debut, it did not feel as one. I loved this film so very much, and watched all the credits. Both Nick Sasso and Nomi wore many hats making this film, and this passion and skill shows in every minute captured.
Need more from you both!!
Dark, slow but thoughtful
F1Rumors5 March 2022
You will see complaints that this contains very little Maui Thai, the singing is flat, and the story misses opportunities. That's all fair. If you come in expecting a sport movie, or a pop extravaganza, you are going to be disappointed.
The film is problematic - the lighter notes are there, the dark side misses some depth and the missed opportunities in the script will be clear.
But it is thoughtful, deep enough to engage, dark enough to make characters real, light enough to be approachable for folks outside the trans community, and absolutely artfully shot.
No Hollywood blockbuster, but a pretty interesting diversion.
The film is problematic - the lighter notes are there, the dark side misses some depth and the missed opportunities in the script will be clear.
But it is thoughtful, deep enough to engage, dark enough to make characters real, light enough to be approachable for folks outside the trans community, and absolutely artfully shot.
No Hollywood blockbuster, but a pretty interesting diversion.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
