NOT content with dominating half of all cinema screens the world over in the latest Ant-Man, Jonathan Majors now takes on the other half in the latest Creed. They’re both threequels but only one’s a knockout.

Much as with Quantumania, Majors’ role in Creed III is as antagonist to the film’s contentedly semi-retired leading man. The latter here being Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis “Donny” Creed. Jordan directs too, taking on the mantle held in parts I and II by Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler, who remains a producer.

The film arrives written by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, with Kramer Morgenthau returning to bring gravitas to Jordan’s lens as cinematographer.

While consistency behind the camera pays dividends in the film, on screen Jordan faces an uphill battle in the absence of Sylvester Stallone, whose haggard Rocky proved so instrumental to the tone and strength of the first two films in the series. Curiously, Stallone’s absence in the film comes courtesy of the actor’s own volition and a self proclaimed distaste for the darker direction taken by the film’s narrative.

More fool he. As it transpires, moving away from the traditional Rocky template is the film’s master stroke. Creed III is a pleasingly adult drama, with time well spent exploring character dynamics away from the ring and melancholic themes of loss, isolation and regret.

As we open, Donny has retired from professional boxing, instead seeking a more settled home life with wife Bianca (Thor’s Tessa Thompson) and their daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). A man of Donny’s repute and international stature can hardly fade totally from the limelight, however, and the adjustment from sportsman to celebrity is far from easy to reconcile.

Donny’s boxing gloves can only be allowed to gather dust for so long, of course. Majors plays Damian, a childhood friend of Donny but long term prison inmate in the interim years. It was a misunderstanding that committed Damien to so long a stretch in jail. His release is, then, tainted with the bitter stench of vendetta. It’s an anger that can only be resolved in the ring and with Donny as his opponent.

At least two more entries in the Creed saga from here and, if nothing else, this third film proves there’s ample mileage yet. It’s a strong directorial debut for Jordan and thrill ride from muscly start to bloody end.