Creed (2015)
Creed follows Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed. Though he never knew his father, who died in the ring before Adonis was born, the weight of Apollo’s legacy looms over him. Raised in privilege after being taken in by Apollo’s widow, Mary Anne Creed, Adonis rejects a comfortable corporate career to pursue boxing, determined to prove himself on his own terms.
Driven by anger, pride, and a need for identity, Adonis moves to Philadelphia, where his father once trained. There, he seeks out Rocky Balboa, Apollo’s former rival and close friend, now living a quiet life running a small restaurant. Initially reluctant, Rocky refuses to train Adonis, haunted by Apollo’s death and his own fading past. However, Adonis’s persistence and raw talent eventually convince Rocky to mentor him—not as Apollo’s son, but as his own fighter.
Under Rocky’s guidance, Adonis begins training intensely, learning discipline, technique, and emotional control. At the same time, he starts a relationship with Bianca, a talented musician grappling with progressive hearing loss. Their bond provides Adonis with emotional grounding, helping him confront his fear of inadequacy and isolation.
As Adonis rises through the boxing ranks, he deliberately avoids using the Creed name, wanting recognition based on skill rather than inheritance. However, his success inevitably attracts attention, and his true identity is revealed to the public. This forces him to confront the legacy he has tried to escape.
Parallel to Adonis’s journey, Rocky faces a personal battle when he is diagnosed with cancer. At first, he refuses treatment, weary of loss after losing Adrian and Apollo. Inspired by Adonis’s determination and refusal to quit, Rocky ultimately finds the strength to fight for his own life, mirroring the mentorship he provides in the ring.
Adonis earns a title shot against heavyweight champion “Pretty” Ricky Conlan. Though outmatched in experience, Adonis enters the fight with confidence and purpose. The bout is brutal and emotionally charged. Though he loses by decision, Adonis proves his heart, resilience, and legitimacy as a fighter.
The film ends with Adonis embracing the Creed name, not as a burden, but as part of who he is. Rocky, standing proudly beside him, recognizes that legacy is not about living in someone’s shadow, but forging one’s own path.
Creed is a powerful continuation of the Rocky saga, blending old and new themes of perseverance, mentorship, and self-discovery, while honoring the spirit of its predecessors.
