With his new film “The Cut”, director Sean Ellis takes what could have been yet another prototypical boxing movie and turns it into a searing psychological drama. To be sure, this is no underdog story about a determined boxer returning to his former glory by winning the big fight in the end. Instead, Ellis is more interested in the underbelly of the boxing world and the disturbing lengths some go to get their shot in the ring.

While Ellis’ (mostly) crisp direction does wonders with screenwriter Justin Bull’s story, it’s Orlando Bloom’s intensely transformative lead turn that makes the movie hum. Actors undergoing dramatic physical changes for a unique role is nothing new. But Bloom’s performance goes beyond his mere appearance. He pours himself into depicting not only the physical, but the psychological torment his character endures. It’s some of the best work of his career.

On another wavelength but equally terrific is Caitríona Balfe, playing in her first big screen role since being criminally snubbed for “Belfast”. In many ways her character serves as the film’s conscience, and Balfe channels it through an emotionally textured performance that’s full of grit, compassion, and conflict. Then there is the always compelling John Turturro, delivering one of the year’s vilest villains. The trio take us on a merciless journey to some unexpected depths.

Bloom’s character goes unnamed and is referred to as “the Boxer”. He had a good professional career before a crushing loss drove him to retire. But that was 10 years ago. Now he runs a gym in Ireland with his long-time trainer and girlfriend Caitlin (Balfe). Neither fully reached their vastly different yet equally passionate individual boxing dreams. But together they’ve found their happy niche. At least so Caitlin believes.

Things take their first turn after the boxer is approached by a rather ruthless promoter named Donny (Gary Beadle). He has a high profile championship title fight set up in Las Vegas. But his challenger died after a celebrity match/publicity stunt with a popular YouTuber. Donny needs a replacement fast so he reaches out to the boxer who accepts despite no longer being a competitive fighter. The boxer’s one condition – Caitlin comes along as his trainer. She agrees against her better judgement.

All of that is setup for the story’s darker turn. The boxer and Caitlin are flown out to Vegas where he is told he has to lose 26 pounds in six days in order to make the official super welterweight weigh-in. It will require a grueling weight loss regimen. But when he fails to see the results he needs, Donny brings in Boz (Turturro), a cold and pitiless trainer who only cares about his reputation and the money he makes

The conflicts grow intense between Caitlin and Boz, with one looking after the man she loves and the other only seeing a piece of meat that will make him money. Soon the boxer is caught between Caitlin’s heartfelt support and Boz’s ruthless exploitation. But an even nastier conflict boils within the boxer himself, whose self-destructive obsession not only threatens his relationships with those he loves, but puts him on the brink of physical and emotional collapse.

Again, don’t go into “The Cut” anticipating that big celebratory moment of triumph where the winner is hoisted up in the center of the ring as the crowd roars and the music swells. Ellis avoids all of that, keeping his focus firmly on his characters and their interpersonal journeys. Not everything gels as intended. There are some well-meaning flashbacks that never quite click and dark visual touches in the final act that don’t have the desired impact. But the film’s gripping intensity and vicious psychological edge combined with its fierce pitting of humanity vs. inhumanity makes this dark and harrowing character study/cautionary tale stick with you.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS