Action Movie Anatomy hosts Ben Bateman and Andrew Ghai break down Warrior with the director Gavin O'Connor and the Writer Anthony Tambakis! Warrior is a 2011 American sports drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy as two estranged brothers whose entrance into a mixed martial arts tournament makes them come to terms with their lives and each other. Nick Nolte was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the father of the two brothers.