Halle Berry is offered a second chance in “Bruised,” the Oscar-winning actress’ feature directorial debut. The pic tells the story of Jackie Justice (Berry), a disgraced MMA fighter searching for professional and personal redemption after leaving the sport a laughingstock and regaining custody of her estranged son when his father dies. A new trailer for the pic sees Jackie hesitant to head back into the octagon. She claims she’s happy and no longer wants to fight, but not everyone is convinced that scrubbing toilets “fulfills [her] purpose.”
Convinced to join an underground fight, Jackie makes a good impression on a promoter who believes she’s capable of making a comeback in the UFC. Others are less enthusiastic about her prospects, suggesting that her technique is lacking and there are “stronger, faster, younger girls” who have a better shot.
Meanwhile, Jackie is trying to get to know her son. “We’re strangers right now, but I’m all you’ve got,” she tells him.
Netflix scored worldwide rights to “Bruised” ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it screened as a work in progress. The streamer reportedly spent about $20 million for the pic, which is among the largest acquisition deals in festival history.
Berry won an Oscar “Monster’s Ball” and took home an Emmy for “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.” “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” are among her more recent credits.
“Bruised” arrives in select theaters November 17 and launches on Netflix November 24. Michelle Rosenfarb penned the script.
