Grudge Match
Grudge Match is a 2013 American sports comedy film directed by Peter Segal.[1] The movie stars Robert De Niro as Billy "The Kid" McDonnen and Sylvester Stallone as Henry "Razor" Sharp, two aging Pittsburgh boxers who share a decades-long rivalry after each winning one of their two professional bouts in the 1980s.[1] Thirty years later, they are coaxed out of retirement by a promoter, played by Kevin Hart, to settle their unfinished business in a third and final match.[1] The protagonists reunite for training, uncovering buried secrets from their past, including a shared romantic history involving Kim Basinger's character, Sally.[2] Supporting roles are filled by Alan Arkin as Razor's wisecracking trainer and Jon Bernthal as Razor's estranged son, adding layers of humor and family drama to the boxing narrative.[2] Written by Tim Kelleher and Rodney Rothman, Grudge Match was produced by Gerber Pictures and Callahan Filmworks, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.[1] The movie was released in theaters on December 25, 2013, with a runtime of 113 minutes and a PG-13 rating for sports action violence, language, and sexual content.[1] Filming took place primarily in New Orleans, standing in for Pittsburgh.[2]Synopsis
Plot
In the 1980s, Pittsburgh boxers Henry "Razor" Sharp and Billy "The Kid" McDonnen engage in a fierce rivalry, with each winning one of their two professional bouts.[1] Scheduled for a decisive rematch in 1983, Razor fails to appear, causing both fighters to retire prematurely and fade into obscurity without ever resolving their contest.[1] Thirty years later, ambitious promoter Dante Slate Jr. capitalizes on a viral video of the aging rivals trash-talking to orchestrate a comeback "grudge match," transforming their local spat into a high-stakes spectacle broadcast on HBO. Razor, now a widowed steel mill worker, reluctantly agrees and resumes training under his eccentric former trainer, Louis "Lightning" Conlon. Meanwhile, McDonnen, a successful car dealer, prepares with his own support, but tensions escalate when Sally—McDonnen's ex-lover and Razor's former flame—reenters their lives, stirring up old romantic entanglements and emotional conflicts, including McDonnen discovering that B.J. is his estranged adult son from his past with Sally.[3] As the fighters endure grueling preparations and public scrutiny, the story explores their physical decline and unresolved grudges, building toward the climactic bout that forces confrontations with family secrets and personal regrets. Through the metaphor of boxing, the narrative delves into themes of redemption, the challenges of aging, and the pursuit of second chances in later life.[1]Cast
The principal cast of Grudge Match features a mix of action icons and comedic talents, whose performances drive the film's blend of rivalry, humor, and redemption arcs. Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro lead as the titular boxers, drawing on their established screen personas from boxing classics like Rocky and Raging Bull, respectively, to portray aging rivals rekindling their past conflict.[4] Supporting actors like Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin provide comic energy, while Kim Basinger and Jon Bernthal add emotional layers through family dynamics tied to the central feud.| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sylvester Stallone | Henry "Razor" Sharp | A washed-up Pittsburgh boxer who retired abruptly in the 1980s before a decisive third bout with his rival, now working in a steel mill and seeking personal redemption through a comeback fight.[5][6] |
| Robert De Niro | Billy "The Kid" McDonnen | Razor's flashy, successful rival from their 1980s matches—where each won one bout—who has built a wealthy life but harbors unresolved tensions from their shared history.[5][1] |
| Kim Basinger | Sally Rose | The Kid's former love interest and mother to his estranged son B.J., whose reappearance introduces emotional complications and romantic history intersecting with both boxers.[7][8] |
| Kevin Hart | Dante Slate, Jr. | A scheming, fast-talking boxing promoter who spots viral potential in the old rivalry and orchestrates the boxers' return to the ring for financial gain.[9][10] |
| Alan Arkin | Louis "Lightning" Conlon | Razor's eccentric, ailing former trainer who reluctantly resumes his role, providing comic relief through his gruff wisdom and medical quirks.[11] |
| Jon Bernthal | B.J. Rose | The Kid's estranged adult son and single father, who grapples with resentment toward his father while getting involved in his training for the match.[12][13][14] |