As all film fans already know, Toronto was buzzing last weekend with the return of its beloved Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Delectable food was savoured, glasses clinked, films made their grand debut and fashion stole the spotlight as stars were dazzled by the camera flashes. Our FAJO team was right there, capturing every moment to bring you the inside scoop.

As someone who boxes and trains occasionally, I used to be a big fan of the sport. However, with YouTube stars now stepping into the ring for quick cash grabs, it’s hard to stay engaged when you see a 27-year-old fighting someone older, slower and out of their weight class. That said, The Cut offers a sobering look at what boxing has become, mired in a web of rules and regulations. As I anticipated the climactic showdown late in the film, I realized I was experiencing a different kind of boxing story—one that delves into the physical and psychological hurdles boxers face in the lead-up to a major bout.

Orlando Bloom, delivers a chilling performance as a character wrestling with inner demons—and the consequences of letting those demons take control. It’s arguably one of his finest roles, with Caitríona Balfe and John Turturro delivering equally compelling performances. The intense relationship between trainer and boxer will keep you on the edge of your seat, and as the rules bend and break, the murky world of boxing payoffs and comeback stories draws you in even further.

Executive Producer Jeff Bowler, who just so happens to be an old friend from the West Coast, worked alongside Blair Ward, Anders Erdén, Kalyn Harper and a few others to bring this to life. And with that, I knew this film was bound to be a winner. Sean Ellis took a sport we thought we knew, flipped it on its head, and delivered a compelling story of just how competitive—and dangerous—boxing can be.

This film is a definite knockout.

Photos courtesy of Sara Afshar.