Undercard

Undercard
Stars: Wanda Sykes, Bentley Green, William Stanford Davis, Berto Colon and Roselyn Sanchez
Director: Tamika Miller
Scriptwriters: Anita M. Cal and Tamika Miller
Cinematography: Ana M. Amortegul
Composer: Emmolei Sankota
Catalyst Studios/Seismic Releasing
Rating: not rated but could be R for profanity and fight scenes
Running Length: 105 minutes

Wanda Sykes is known as an actor who does comedy well. In “Undercard,” she takes on the role of a mother who was a boxer. Money went to raising her son, played by Bentley Green. Director Tamika Miller takes the audience into boxing and what it takes to be a fighter, and most of all, a winner. This boxing film with a mother as the boxer is a unique aspect to the fight ring.

As the storyline goes, Chery “No Mercy” Stewart (well played by Wanda Sykes) was a great fighter in her day, but left the family because of alcoholism. Years later, she shows up in time to see her son, Keith (Bentley Green) as a boxer. However, there are those in his circle who are taking over his intended career and Cheryl doesn’t like this. Mother tries to interfere and it only makes things worse and her son’s dislike of her. She would like to be his trainer, but will he accept someone who has been gone from his life?

The scenes of mother-son disagreements are well played by Sykes and Green. You can believe the tension that has built up in him and the longing she has to be part of his life again. This against the sport of boxing, there is much to discover. The other actors, such as Rosalyn Sanchez have their moments. What advice to give? Or not?

It’s been a while since a boxing film has come to theaters and “Undercard” is intense and opening the audience to the world of sport at the beginning of a career. Decisions to be made and who to trust. That is the important thought here, who to trust? Your long-gone-and-back mother or someone currently in the boxing field. Who is there for your best interest, and who is not? The fight scenes are of interest, but it is not all the background on which the story goes. This is human interest amid the sports world, and something you don’t often see. A mother who was a boxer and tries to re-enter her grown son’s life. This gives the phrase “live and let live” new meaning.

Copyright 2026 Marie Asner