Watch First Match

First Match is a 2018 Netflix original movie that follows the story of an African-American teenage girl, Monique “Mo” Morris (played by Elvire Emanuelle), who has spent most of her life in the foster care system. Mo is a tough, street-smart girl who wants to find a sense of belonging, and she thinks she has found it in the world of wrestling. Mo tries to reconnect with her estranged father, Darrel (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who has just been released from prison but is struggling to stay on the straight and narrow.

The story takes place in Brooklyn, and Mo has recently returned to live with her foster mother, Coach Roberts (played by Colman Domingo). Coach Roberts is a former wrestler himself who encourages Mo to join his all-boys wrestling team, but Mo is met with resistance from her fellow wrestlers who believe that wrestling is not a sport for girls. Mo is determined to prove herself and shows her strength and resilience both on and off the mat as she navigates the challenges of high school and her personal life.

As Mo grapples with her identity and finding her place in the world, she becomes increasingly focused on winning her first wrestling match. The competition becomes a metaphor for Mo trying to overcome the obstacles and challenges that have always stood in her way. She wants to prove to herself and everyone around her that she is capable of achieving greatness.

Throughout the movie, we see Mo's relationship with her father unfold. Darrel had been in and out of jail for most of Mo's life, leaving her feeling abandoned and alone. Darrel tries to reconnect with Mo, but she is apprehensive about letting him back into her life. The two have a tumultuous relationship, as they both struggle to overcome their past and build a new future together.

The movie is a raw and emotional coming-of-age story that touches on some difficult themes, including poverty, absent parents, and the foster care system. It also addresses the struggles that teenage girls face when trying to navigate a male-dominated world. The characters are complex and relatable, and the performances from the actors are outstanding, particularly Elvire Emanuelle who shines as Mo. She gives a realistic portrayal of a teenager who has seen the worst in the world but still maintains hope that things can get better.

Director Olivia Newman does an excellent job of capturing the grit and authenticity of Brooklyn's streets, using handheld cameras that give the movie a sense of realism. She also demonstrates a keen eye for detail, capturing the nuances of the characters' relationships and the emotional impact of their struggles.

Overall, First Match is a gripping drama that will resonate with anyone struggling to find their place in the world. It shows how perseverance and determination can help us overcome even the most daunting obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side. The film is a powerful statement on the importance of family, hope, and never giving up on your dreams.

First Match is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 68.