Words by Shayni Solanki
Stepping behind the camera, Michael B. Jordan recently made his directorial debut with Creed III, opting to tell a story centred around masculinity.
In the media, healthy and nuanced masculinities remain a rare commodity. Men tend to be pigeon-holed, with the realities of ‘being a man’ scarcely showcased. Being a good man isn’t just about a person’s actions- there’s a lot more to it, and with the rise of people like Andrew Tate we have to begin questioning the type of masculinity we’re comfortable with young men aspiring to emulate.
Creed III is a refreshing example of healthy masculinity, which is a feat in itself as sports movies don’t always get it right when it comes to their male stars. Sports characters can sometimes be written with a lot of toxicity and arrogance, but Jordan’s Adonis Creed is nothing like this. Throughout the film series, besides being characterised as a world-class boxer, Creed is also portrayed as a very normal man. Michael B. Jordan has done an amazing job of conveying Adonis as a normal man with a range of emotions; some have even described his portrayal as an “evolved standard of masculinity”.
There’s more to Creed III than just boxing – Jordan opts to explore other big themes that would otherwise be neglected in an average sports film. For instance, he explores prison’s effect on Black men in depth throughout this movie via Jonathan Majors’ character Damian Anderson. Furthermore, whilst Adonis is not the one dealing with the effects of prison, the movie explores his feelings of guilt surrounding Damian’s incarceration., emphasising Adonis’ vulnerability and kindness. One reviewer suggests that the film redefines black masculinity by showcasing that there’s always room to heal and to help. Creed 3 actively fights against the “angry black man” trope by responding to anger with understanding and healing.
In terms of other themes tackled, Creed III shows a level of respect towards therapy that isn’t that common. Tessa Thompson, who stars as Adonis’ wife, shared that she and Michael B. Jordan actually went to couples therapy in character ahead of filming. Throughout the series, Adonis Creed goes through hell, and the latest instalment handles the repercussions with care and respect.
In 2018, Michael B. Jordan said, “You aren’t any less of a man by showing emotion”. By using this belief as groundwork, his directorial debut to breaks boundaries, creating a truly commendable interpretation of on-screen masculinity in process. We’re hoping that he’ll repeat the feat in his future directorial work, bringing a much needed levity to characters beyond Adonis Creed.