Punch

Punch, a New Zealand sports drama, explores the story of Stan, a former boxer whose son, Jim, follows in his footsteps. When Jim reveals he is homosexual and enters a relationship with aspiring singer Whetu, their small town reacts negatively. The plot takes a dark turn when Whetu is brutally assaulted, leading Jim and Whetu to seek revenge. Meanwhile, Stan grapples with terminal cancer but hides it from Jim to let him focus on a championship fight. The film, directed by Welby Ings and starring Tim Roth, layers themes of family, acceptance, and the sacrifices made for loved ones. Punch premiered at the 2022 New Zealand International Film Festival and received a positive reception with a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.