Punch (2022) is a tender, emotionally resonant New Zealand film directed by Welby Ings and starring Jordan Oosterhof and Tim Roth. Set against the rugged backdrop of coastal Aotearoa, the film tells the story of Jim Richardson (Oosterhof), a promising young boxer on the verge of a professional career, who grapples with the expectations of his alcoholic father (Roth) and his own emerging identity.
At first glance, Punch appears to follow familiar sports-drama territory: a disciplined teen athlete facing pressure to succeed. But the story quickly pivots into something far more introspective and socially relevant. Jim’s growing relationship with Whetu (Conan Hayes), a sensitive and bullied Māori teen who lives in an abandoned shack near the beach, becomes the emotional core of the film. As their bond deepens, Jim is forced to confront his sexuality, his loyalty to his father, and the suffocating masculinity of small-town culture.
Jordan Oosterhof delivers a breakout performance as Jim, carrying the emotional weight of a young man pulled in opposite directions—between ambition and honesty, silence and truth. His portrayal is raw and deeply affecting, made more powerful by the quiet vulnerability he shares in moments with Whetu. Conan Hayes, too, is magnetic as the fiercely artistic and gentle Whetu, a character who is as much a symbol of freedom as he is a wounded soul.
Tim Roth’s portrayal of Stan, Jim’s father and coach, is intentionally frustrating. Roth brings complexity to a man whose love is buried under generational trauma and unspoken regret. His dynamic with Jim—often tender, often cruel—speaks to the cyclical nature of toxic masculinity and the struggle to break away from inherited roles.
Visually, Punch is stunning. Cinematographer Matt Henley captures New Zealand’s wild, windswept beauty while using muted tones and natural light to highlight the film’s quiet intensity. The boxing ring, far from being glorified, becomes a metaphor for Jim’s inner struggle. Punches are not just physical—they’re emotional, societal, and spiritual.
Although it didn’t receive wide international release, Punch earned acclaim on the festival circuit and is praised for its bold, authentic storytelling. It’s a film about self-discovery, the cost of silence, and the courage to step outside expectations.
In a fictional sequel titled Punch: After the Bell, several years have passed. Jim, now living in Auckland and pursuing a degree in education, is trying to leave boxing—and his past—behind. When news of Whetu’s disappearance surfaces, Jim is pulled back to his hometown, where old tensions and unresolved trauma resurface.
The sequel could explore themes of reunion, reconciliation, and the healing power of confronting one’s past. Whetu, who has been battling addiction and homelessness, becomes a symbol not only of Jim’s guilt but also of the resilience buried beneath pain. Together, the two must decide if there is still something between them worth saving—or if love, once lost, must remain a memory.
This imagined continuation would deepen the emotional legacy of Punch, reminding us that coming of age is not a one-time event—but a lifetime process of choosing who we are.
