Whatever your interest level in professional wrestling is, you can’t deny that the WWE is an iconic pillar in American pop culture. From Hulk Hogan to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to John Cena, it has given the world an enormous amount of enjoyment and iconic stars, most of whom have been male.

WWE wrestler Paige, however, may be one of the most recognizable figures in the rise of women’s wrestling in the WWE. Her incredible story and how she was a part of that rise is given the Hollywood treatment in “Fighting With My Family.”

As in any biopic, some details are stretched and molded here and there for the sake of entertainment. However, the film truly does justice to the story of Suraya-Jade Bevis (her real name) — if not in its mostly accurate retelling of her story, then in just how damn good the movie is.

First off, the performances are just great all around. Florence Pugh knocks it out of the park as Paige/Suraya Knight (as you may notice, one changed fact is her last name), giving her every ounce of heart, humor and wit. Suraya is the rock of her tightly knit family of wild-child English professional wrestlers, and Pugh’s performance shows it.

Nick Frost (of “Hot Fuzz” and “Shaun of the Dead” fame) is great and funny playing Suraya’s father, and Lena Headey takes a break from playing an evil queen to performing one of her most heartwarming roles ever: Suraya’s free-spirited mother, who shows an infinite amount of support and love for her daughter. Jack Lowden plays her brother, wrestling partner and perhaps best friend Zak “Zodiac” Knight, who gives equal parts sorrow and heart, as his future does not go quite as he hopes or expects.

Vince Vaughn gives a highly entertaining portrayal of recruiter and trainer Hutch, while Johnson portrays himself with all of the natural charisma and humor he exudes. But they never outshine the family of crazy British wrestlers or Pugh’s portrayal of Paige.

Written and directed by Stephen Merchant (writer of both the British and American versions of “The Office”), this is a memorable, heartwarming and enjoyable movie from start to finish. The film’s understanding of professional wrestling and what makes it so appealing and entertaining to its fans and followers, while simultaneously telling a story that will give fits of laughter to and excite general audiences. It would be hard to imagine Suraya wouldn’t be proud of a movie that can’t be called anything other than a success.

Though the theater was half-full at best during the viewing, everyone in the room was clearly having a blast. The funniest moments of the movie drew universal laughter, and even this critic did a full-body wince with everyone else at a few scenes that looked particularly painful. It seems rare to see a whole theater react so physically and be invested into a film nowadays, but it’s a surefire sign that something has been done right.

“Fighting with My Family” is worth the price of admission, and it would actually make a pretty darn good family movie night (as long as you don’t mind a few crude sexual references for the sake of humor, rough and rumble wrestling action, or minor drug references). If you don’t get a chance to see it on the big screen, definitely rent it when it becomes available. It’s 2019’s first truly excellent movie, and loads of fun.

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“Fighting with My Family” is currently playing at the Riverside Cinemas, 1017 S. Boone St. in Aberdeen.

George Haerle holds a bachelor’s degree in creative writing for media and lives in Cosmopolis.