This In the Shadows review is part of Popped’s coverage of the 70th BFI London Film Festival. Explore our other festival reviews here.
In the Shadows is the inspiring true story of Somali-British Muslim boxer Ramla Ali. The film explores faith, family dynamics and how both become obstacles for Ramla as she pursues her passion for boxing. It is a story that dissects not only Ramla’s boxing journey, but also her womanhood and her relationship with her culture.
In the Shadows was originally pitched as a documentary exploring how Ramla Ali rose to become the professional boxer she is today. However, director Anthony Wonke, whose work is rooted in documentary filmmaking, felt that the story would be better suited to a feature film. With a screenplay penned by Ursula Rani Sarma, and Jasmine Jobson cast as Ramla Ali alongside Finn Cole as her husband, Richard, In the Shadows was brought to life as a feature film and premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival.
Ramla Ali’s Fight for Independence
In the Shadows begins in Somalia, before Ramla and her family move to the UK following the death of her brother, Abdi. His death is something that haunts the rest of the film. We meet a teenage Ramla struggling with her weight and the common insecurities that come with being a young woman in London. She begins working out and eventually stumbles across the idea of boxing after being inspired by decorated boxer Amir Khan. Ramla finds a local boxing gym in East London and begins her journey, where she also meets Richard.
The lack of support from Ramla’s family becomes a barrier to her boxing ambitions, as they use cultural norms as a reason not to accept her passion. They worry about what people around them may think about a woman “fighting” for a living. Boxing as a woman is frowned upon within their community, which leads Ramla to pursue it in secret. She slips away to training sessions and boxing matches, and at home, she resorts to using water bottles as weights because she cannot be seen with real equipment.
The film lightly touches on the lack of spaces for women to participate in sport, highlighting the limited facilities available to them. We see Ramla enter a boxing gym, only to be told that there are no changing rooms for women. In the Shadows is an intimate film, making great use of close-ups and scenes shot in tight spaces. There are only a handful of central locations throughout the film, allowing us to become familiar with Ramla’s family home and the gym where she trains. The locations are also recognisable spots around London, adding another layer of familiarity to the film and making its setting feel all the more authentic.
Jasmine Jobson’s Moving Performance
Jobson is incredibly believable as Ramla, bringing a wonderful balance of fierceness and vulnerability to the character. She appears confident when she has her boxing gloves on, ready for a fight and unwilling to back down. However, around her family, she becomes reserved, transforming into a frightened young woman who is forced to keep so much of herself a secret. Jobson conveys Ramla’s distress through trembling, quivering expressions. There are so many moments where she is holding back tears, desperately trying not to cry in front of others, and it is devastating to watch.
In an era where women’s sport is being championed more than ever before, watching Ramla become so small and timid about how strongly she grows to feel about boxing is quite upsetting. She almost turns into a little girl again around her family, which jarringly contrasts with the woman we see in the boxing gym and at her day job. It feels as though we are watching two completely different people, and Jobson does a fantastic job of capturing that divide.
Cole is charming alongside Jobson, bringing cheekiness and charisma to Richard. The relationship between Ramla and Richard is put under pressure, particularly because Richard is both white and non-Muslim, creating another layer of tension within Ramla’s already complicated relationship with her family and faith.
After Jobson, Hodan Yusuf, who plays Ramla’s mother, is a standout, offering a rather conflicting character. She can be incredibly frustrating, but there is also something tragic about her, particularly as we see her struggling with the grief of her son. The decisions she makes often come from a place of trauma and overprotectiveness. Yusuf balances these conflicting qualities wonderfully, making the ending of the film all the more satisfying and moving.
A Boxing Film With More on Its Mind
There is no shortage of boxing films, and one talking point is always how the boxing sequences are filmed. Unfortunately, the boxing scenes in In the Shadows do not necessarily provide anything new or exciting to the genre, though there are also simply not many of them. While this is a film about a young woman who eventually becomes a professional boxer, the familial relationships, and their connection to faith and culture, are far more important to the story.
‘In The Shadows’ Review – Final Thoughts
A stronger screenplay could have done more to elevate what is truly an incredible life story, but ultimately, In the Shadows succeeds as an immigrant story set in London. It is inspiring, moving and a reminder of the barriers women can face when pursuing something they love.
In the Shadows premiered at the 70th BFI London Film Festival and is now showing in UK cinemas, following its release on 30 October 2026. Watch the official trailer below.
