Story Overview

Raging Bull tells the brutal and uncompromising story of middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro), whose explosive rage and violent instincts transform him into one of the most feared fighters ever to step into the ring. Fueled by aggression, paranoia, and an unrelenting desire to dominate, LaMotta’s fury becomes the driving force behind his rise to the top of the boxing world.

Inside the ring, his uncontrollable temper and willingness to absorb punishment bring him extraordinary success and legendary status. Each fight is less a contest than a self-inflicted trial, where pain becomes proof of strength and survival. Victory, however, comes at a devastating cost.

When the same anger and suspicion that empower LaMotta as a boxer spill into his personal life, they poison every relationship around him. His marriage, family ties, and friendships deteriorate under the weight of jealousy, emotional abuse, and physical violence. Unable to separate love from control, LaMotta slowly destroys the very connections that give meaning to his success.

A stark and intimate character study, Raging Bull explores how unchecked masculinity, obsession, and self-loathing can turn triumph into isolation. Through its raw performances and unflinching realism, the film portrays a man who conquers the world in the ring, only to lose everything outside of it.