Today’s movie of the day is 2011’s Warrior, a mixed martial arts (MMA) movie directed by Gavin O’Connor. This is a heartwarming tale of a family torn apart finding their way back to each other in the unlikeliest venue; an MMA Octagon. The plot centers around two distant brothers reeling from years of trauma caused by their alcoholic father. They both decide to sign up for the biggest MMA fight event (dubbed Sparta) for personal reasons.

One of the brothers, Tommy Conlon (played by Tom Hardy), is a former marine who returns home due to undisclosed circumstances. He is a brutal fighter that strikes fear in every opponent that dares to approach him. He seeks out the help of his now sober dad Paddy (played by Nick Nolte), to prepare for the big day. Paddy was a former MMA trainer.

The other brother Brendan (played by Joel Edgerton), is a UFC champion turned beloved Physics teacher. Unlike his brother, he plays the underdog that waits till the last second of the shot clock to go for the win. He’s also more of a family man than his brother, and his wife (played by Jennifer Morrison) is vehemently against his participation in the fight. However, his desperate need for cash (their house is about to be foreclosed) forces his hand to sign up for the event.