Film Review: Queen of the Ring

Queen of the Ring
Director: Ash Avildsen
Sumerian Pictures, Intrinsic Value Films
In Theaters: 03.07.25

The key to making a memorable biopic is finding not only an interesting subject, but the right star to bring them to life. Queen of the Ring may not have the benefits of a big budget Hollywood production, but it has no trouble producing those two crucial ingredients.

Queen of the Ring follows Mildred Burke (Emily Bett Rickards, Arrow, Funny Story), a single mother who defies the odds to become the first million-dollar female athlete and longest-reigning women’s wrestling champion. In the 1930s, Mildred impresses carnival wrestler and promoter Billy Wolfe (Josh Lucas, A Beautiful Mind, Glory Road) by defeating a male wrestler, persuading Wolfe to train her. The professional relationship quickly turns personal, and together, they turn Millie into a genuine star, catching national attention and inspiring other women to follow suit — despite women’s wrestling being banned across much of the U.S. Their romance sours as Billy’s womanizing ways and tendency to take advantage of the other female wrestlers causes Millie to fight for her independence. Through triumphs and setbacks, she builds a sisterhood with other wrestlers, pioneers equality in the sport and cements her legacy in professional wrestling history.

Writer-director Ash Avildsen (American Satan, Paradise City) is well acquainted with the full-contact sports genre, thanks to the legacy of his father, John G. Avildsen, who directed the original Rocky and all three Karate Kid films. The scripted nature of professional wrestling means that most of the match sequences are lacking the excitement level or intricate direction of the aforementioned films, though when the story finally gives the younger Avildsen a chance to go no holds barred, it makes for a thrilling sequence that’s worth the wait. Despite a limited budget, Queen of the Ring is slickly made and involving, though the rather episodic approach to storytelling leads to some leisurely pacing and tends to make it feel more like television much of the time. Still, Queen of the Ring keeps the audiences invested through its infectious sense of enthusiasm, as well as through the sheer likability of many of its characters, chief among them Millie herself. The female empowerment message is strong and sincere, and Avildsen’s focus on the power gained by women working to build each other up is refreshing and inspiring.

The appealing and committed cast, led by Rickards in a breakthrough performance that deserves to be recognized, drives the film forward. Already an established favorite in geek circles due to her time on The CW’s Arrow, the actress plays significantly against type and clearly went through rigorous physical preparation for the role. Even more important than the physical aspect is the fiery presence and humanity that she brings to the role, and if Queen of the Ring is able to find an audience, it could bring her a well-deserved career boost. Lucas is effectively smarmy as always, and the supporting cast shines, with Daredevil’s Deborah Ann Woll and Juror #2’s Francesca Eastwood (who also has a relatively noteworthy father) being the clear standouts as wrestlers Gladys Gillem and Mae Young. Walton Goggins (Django Unchained, Fallout) is also noteworthy as Jack Pfefer, one of the architects of modern professional wrestling.

Queen of the Rings isn’t going to be contending for any Oscars, but it’s a rousing and likeable sports movie that chronicles a turning point in history. If it can find an audience, it has serious potential as to establish Avildsen as a director of crowd pleasers, and Rickards as a highly sought after lead actor. Even if you hate wrestling, Queen of the Ring still has the power to ring your bell. —Patrick Gibbs

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