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Queen of the Ring (film)

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Queen of the Ring
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAsh Avildsen
Screenplay byAsh Avildsen
Based onThe Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend
by Jeff Leen
Produced by
  • Aimee Schoof
  • Isen Robbins
  • B. D. Gunnell
  • Ash Avildsen
Starring
CinematographyAndrew Strahorn
Edited byCraig Hayes
Music byAaron Gilhuis
Production
companies
  • Sumerian Pictures
  • Intrinsic Value Films
Distributed bySumerian Pictures
Release dates
Running time
140 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$602,104[1]

Queen of the Ring is a 2024 American biographical sports drama about female professional wrestler Mildred Burke. The film is written and directed by Ash Avildsen. It stars Emily Bett Rickards as Burke, with Josh Lucas, Tyler Posey, and Walton Goggins in supporting roles.

Premise

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The film chronicles the life of revolutionary female wrestler Mildred Burke.

In an era when women were barred from the ring, Mildred Burke shattered every rule in the book. A single mother with unstoppable grit, she fought her way from underground matches to the pinnacle of professional wrestling, becoming the sport’s first million-dollar female athlete. Defying skeptics, opponents, and a system determined to shut her out, Burke carved her legacy as the longest-reigning champion in history—proving that the fiercest battles aren’t just fought in the ring, but against the world itself.

Cast

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Production

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Wrestler Mildred Burke, whose life the film is based on.

The film is written and directed by Ash Avildsen, inspired by the 2010 book The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend by Jeff Leen, and Burke's own manuscripts.[2] Jim Ross is executive producer on the film. Aimee Schoof and Isen Robbins of Intrinsic Value Films and TV and B.D. Gunnell are the producers on the film.[3]

Principal photography took place in Louisville, Kentucky.[4] In July 2023, the film received dispensation to continue filming during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[5]

Casting

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Actress Emily Bett Rickards, who plays Burke in the film (pictured in 2023)

In May 2023, Emily Bett Rickards was cast as the lead in the film as Mildred Burke while Josh Lucas was cast as Billy Wolfe. At this time, Marie Avgeropoulos was cast as Babe Gordon.[6]

In June 2023, Walton Goggins, Francesca Eastwood, and Deborah Ann Woll joined the cast,[7] with Gavin Casalegno cast as Mildred's teen age son Joe later that month.[8] Charlotte Flair and Liv Morgan had to withdraw from their roles as June Byers and Clara Mortensen due to scheduling and injury issues, respectively, and were replaced by NWA Women's Champion Kamille and AEW Women's Champion Toni Storm.[9] In June 2023, Trinity Fatu joined the cast.[10] Kelli Berglund was cast in August 2023, having previously also played a wrestler on the television series Heels.[11]

Release

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Queen of the Ring premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival on October 15, 2024.[12] It was released in theaters in the United States on March 7, 2025, by Sumerian Pictures.[13]

Soundtrack

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Sumerian Records released the soundtrack album for the film featuring ten songs from the movie. It includes songs produced by the films composer, Aaron Gilhuis.

Queen of the Ring (Music from the Motion Picture) track listing
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Dust in the Wind"Corey Taylor feat. Bad Omens & Aaron Gilhuis4:19
2."Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning"Zoe Wees & Aaron Gilhuis2:40
3."Dead Beat Lover"Lanie Gardner3:06
4."Never Ending Moment"Des Rocs & Aaron Gilhuis4:17
5."Burned You"Zhavia3:18
6."God's Gonna Cut You Down"Larkin Poe & Aaron Gilhuis3:53
7."The Seeker"Danny Worsnop & Aaron Gilhuis3:24
8."The Unforgiven"Kittie, DIAMANTE, & The Pretty Wild & Aaron Gilhuis5:52
9."A Woman Scorned"Lanie Gardner2:58
10."House of the Rising Sun"Kat Von D4:41
Total length:38:28

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 74% of 53 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10.[14] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 67 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[15]

Nick Bythrow of Screen Rant gave the film a positive score stating, "Queen of the Ring uses the story of Mildred Burke to expertly explore women's pro wrestling in a time when they weren't allowed in the sport." [16]

Hollywood Reporter writer, Frank Scheck provided a positive review writing: "Emily Bett Rickards Brings Soul and Strength to Female Wrestling Biopic." and gave the bottom line that Queen of the Ring "Makes all the right moves." [17]

References

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  1. ^ "Queen of the Ring". Boxofficemojo. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  2. ^ "ASH AVILDSEN - CREATING HIS OWN DESTINY, CROSSING OVER INTO FILM, AND HIS HIT SERIES 'PARADISE CITY'". Flaunt.com. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "WWE Stars to Appear In New Movie on the Life and Career of a WWE Hall of Famer". Wrestling Headlines. May 22, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Sperling, Nicole (August 9, 2023). "Confusion in Hollywood as Some Productions Are Allowed to Continue". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Porter, Rick (July 19, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Strike: Which Movies and TV Shows Are Still in Production". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  6. ^ "Emily Bett Rickards, Josh Lucas to Star in Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "Walton Goggins and Deborah Ann Woll Join Wrestling Movie 'Queen of the Ring' [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Seo, Rachel (June 13, 2023). "'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Star Gavin Casalegno Joins Wrestling Film 'Queen of the Ring' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "Queen of the Ring biopic moves forward amidst strike, Charlotte Flair, Liv Morgan replaced". The Economic Times. July 31, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Thompson, Andrew (June 26, 2023). "Trinity Fatu to be in 'Queen of the Ring' film". Post Wrestling. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "How 'Heels' Star Kelli Berglund Became the Heart and Soul of the Wrestling Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 11, 2024). "Mildred Burke Biopic 'Queen of The Ring' To Premiere In October". Fightful. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Stephan, Kacy (December 17, 2024). "'Queen of the Ring' Trailer: Emily Bett Rickards Becomes Legendary Wrestler Mildred Burke (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  14. ^ "Queen of the Ring". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  15. ^ "Queen of the Ring". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  16. ^ https://screenrant.com/queen-of-the-ring-movie-review/
  17. ^ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/queen-of-the-ring-film-review-1236063810/
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