No Pain, No Gain

This movie is an underrated gem that blends the world of bodybuilding with intellectual ambition. Directed by Samuel Turcotte, the film follows a highly intelligent bodybuilder (played by Gus Malliarodakis) who moves to Los Angeles, determined to dominate the fitness world using science instead of steroids. His journey pits him against a traditional, chemically-enhanced rival (Dennis Newman), setting up a classic brains-versus-brawn showdown.

The film has an engaging underdog story, though the production values and pacing could have been tighter. Some of the dialogue feels a bit stiff, but the overall message and unique premise make up for it. If you're into fitness, bodybuilding, or just enjoy motivational sports dramas, this is definitely worth a watch.

Turcottes underdog tale blends brains and brawn with mixed results. Zorillo's Gus-a socially awkward genius in a tank top-is a revelation, clashing with Steel's narcissistic Dennis and Miekbach's conflicted Joe, whose ties to Big Supplement add stakes. The script's humor ("You can't algorithm your way to abs!") lands, but lab-coat melodrama feels overcooked. LA's gyms are shot like battlegrounds, all sweat and neon, though the corporate villains lack depth. A mid-film detour into Gus's DIY sleep-study lab overcomplicates, but the final act's betrayal and triumph resonate. Uneven but ambitious, it's a mid-tier lift with heart.

Samuel Turcotte's No Pain, No Gain muscles into the sports drama arena with a fresh, cerebral twist. Co-written by Jodi Lane Baum and Darryl Wimberley, the film follows Gus Malliarodakis (Mike Zorillo), a genius bodybuilder who swaps steroids for science, aiming to dethrone rival Dennis Newman (Jake Steel) at LA's cutthroat "Mr. West Coast" competition. Zorillo shines as the principled protagonist, balancing brawn and brains with charisma, while Steel's smug antagonist and Zigbar Miekbach's enigmatic Joe Hursley-a juicer entangled with a predatory nutrition corporation-add grit. Turcotte critiques gym culture's obsession with shortcuts, weaving tension through corporate sabotage and moral dilemmas. Though pacing stumbles early, the climactic showdown electrifies, championing integrity over easy gains. With sharp wit and muscular visuals, this underdog story flexes both heart and intellect, appealing to fans of Rocky meets The Social Network. A flawed but inspiring ode to mind-over-muscle.

Jodi Lane Baums script is a key element in the success of this movie. The script manages to blend the sports genre with intellectual exploration which is no easy feat. Baums writing is thoughtful and layered, presenting complex themes such as societal expectations, self-identity and the relationship between physical achievement and mental capability. The pacing of the film is tight, with moments of introspection balanced by high-energy training montages and emotional confrontations. Baum also does a wonderful job of capturing the psychological toll that the world of competitive bodybuilding can have on an individual, especially someone like Mike who is not only physically gifted but also intellectually exceptional. The dialogue is sharp and the character development is organic, allowing the film to grow beyond typical biographical sports fare.

Specifically Dennis Newman who plays Jake Steel, Mikes closest friend and training partner, with a great deal of heart and humor. As a foil to Mikes more introspective nature, Jakes more traditional, 'muscle-bound' approach to bodybuilding serves as a reminder of the world Mike exists in. Newmans performance brings a grounded and relatable element to the film, providing a perfect balance to Malliarodakiss character. Jakes loyalty and occasionally naive optimism provide some of the films lighter moments.

And also one of the standout performances in No Pain No Gain comes from Don Phillips Jr, who portrays Dr. Martin Rabeau, a psychologist and mentor figure to Mike.