Movie Time Review: Swing Bout

Just in time for summer a thriller disguised as a sports film gets some attention from us. Straight from the UK comes Swing Bout directed by Maurice O'Carroll and starring Ciara Berkeley in the lead is just that: a film with so many twists that in the end its a knockout. Ciara Berkeley stars as Toni who is a top boxing prospect thats undefeated but is low on cash as she lives out her dream. On one particular boxing event Toni is in a swing bout which means an impromptu fight held at a moment's notice to fill a TV schedule if gaps arise due to scheduled fights finishing more quickly than anticipated. As she prepares for her bout with her opponent, she is asked to throw the fight to make her opponent look good. There were things turn for Toni as various characters pop up in the locker room and outside of the room to showcase the deadly dealings in boxing.

The script written by the director captivates the environment of young boxers trying to make a honest living only to be corrupted by outside forces that is not in boxing. Scenes in the locker room is magnificent on telling different stories but connected them to Toni. Great cinematography plays a big role in giving the characters strength and weaknesses. The acting is brilliant especially Ben Condron and Frank Prendergast as co-defendants Jack and Micko who orchestrated the fights and crimes that have police looking for them. Their roles suit the pace of the film as it goes from slow to fast back and forth. What makes the film captivating is the layers in between characters and when they peeling off you get a sense that no matter how honest you want to be there is something out there that will turn you to the other side. We definitely consider Swing Bout one of the best films of the first half of 2025. Even though we didn't do a international list of must see films of the year if we had this would be one of them. However it is available on digital download in the UK and if you can watch it we recommend that you do and get all wakey-wakey to one of the best films of the year.