Globe-trotting indie drama about an unlikely romance between a transgender pop star (real-life pop star Nomi Ruiz) and her bodyguard, a former Muay Thai fighter (played by the film’s writer, director, co-producer and editor, Nick Sasso). As they tour the world, they mix work and pleasure until a fear of compromise forms a rift in their relationship. In his directorial debut, Sasso (known mostly for visual effects) shows promise, highlighting neatly observed, humanistic aspects of the central dynamic through candid moments which seem to blend fact with fiction. Nick looks like a natural in the ring, and the footage of Nomi both on stage and off works well – although there is very little sense as to the size and scale of her fame or any underlying pressures that she may be under. As a result, her story is mostly sidelined and used as a catalyst for Nick’s redemption. Unfortunately, Nick’s character is also only ever given surface-level attention; seemingly haunted by either a decision or an incident in his past which is never fully revealed, and with a serious charm deficit as a leading man, it is left mostly to Nomi to provide the film’s brief flickers of emotion. Zoë Bell is underused as Nick’s Muay Thai coach, and the whole film feels like its building towards a big tournament finale, only without any kind of adversary to provide resolution. A ‘haymaker’ is a boxing term which refers to a punch considered predictable or signalled in some way; despite the film’s positive elements, it seems like a rather apt metaphor for its quite formulaic nature.
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