Going three for three, American actor, director, and producer, Michael B. Jordan takes over the screens with a new Creed movie.

The newest addition to what is now a boxing trilogy is an audience favorite, with a rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 96% audience score. The three movies are rooted in the Rocky series, a generational storyline. In the Creed films, main character Adonis Creed, played by Jordan, takes viewers with him throughout his life story, beginning from childhood. 

After strong showings and audience responses for 2015’s Creed and 2018’s Creed II, March’s Creed III was a much-anticipated release. Creed III offers a different plot from ones before it, placing the viewers in Adonis’ teenage years. It centers on the relationship between old friends Adonis and Damian, who is played by Johnathan Majors, a new boxing rival. Damian is a constant reminder of Adonis’ foster-care past. He is out of prison after 18 long years with a burning urge to get back in the ring and take Creed’s title.

As one of many who’ve followed the journey of this captivating character, I think it is fair to say Creed III is one of the best movies of 2023 thus far. The film’s story provides fitting context as to why Adonis is who he is and the film’s fight scenes, which – according to Jordan – have a strong anime influence, made it hard to look away. 

Critics on social media apps like Instagram and TikTok expressed that the movie should have been longer in duration, running just before the two hour mark, and had a greater build towards the match of Damian and Adonis. 

There’s no doubt that there were adrenaline-pumping scenes in the film. In fact, the movie puts the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions, balancing the highs with lows to keep viewers invested. Creed’s adoptive mother, Mary Anne, played by Phylicia Rashad, suffers with failing health and (spoiler alert) later dies of these complications. Adonis’ wife, Bianca Creed, played by Tessa Thompson, also experiences lows, struggling to make peace with her lost singing career and sudden doubts about their marriage transparency. 

Directors Ryan Coogler and Jordan, have produced yet another exciting, entertaining, and emotionally-fluctuating film in Creed III, with a centering theme about regret and forgiveness. Solid 9/10.