This year’s Indy Film Fest has previewed a variety of coming-of-age films. Movies like Last Days of Summer and No Right Way present an original take on the familiar genre by shedding light on unfamiliar territory. Clocked is another film in this genre as it shows the struggles of growing up through gender and sports. 

Written and directed by Noah Salzman, Clocked follows Adolfo (Germain Arroyo), an 18-year-old Puerto Rican, as he pursues a career in boxing while striving to provide for his family. Through his pursuit of financial and emotional stability, he grapples with his own identity as he desires to transition into a woman. With his family’s strict moral code and monetary hardships, Adolfo searches for acceptance for himself and his loved ones. 

The focus on the complex relations of becoming a boxer and transitioning had the chance of making the film feel thematically bloated, but Clocked strikes the perfect balance of these two emotionally fulfilling ideas. While the storylines start as opposites, they eventually come together to convey the difficulties of coming to one’s own and accepting oneself for who they are. Adolfo and his family have a sound relationship due to their financial situation and close living quarters. Their bubbly nature brings Puerto Rican culture to life while portraying their relationship’s loving yet stern aspects.

Arroyo is asked to do a lot, both physically and emotionally, throughout the film, as he embodies every aspect of becoming trans and accepting himself. Whether it’s an emotional outburst or a small dialogue sequence, Arroyo sold me at every turn.

What surprised me most about Clocked is how in-depth it went into the world of drag. The film almost acts as a love letter to the profession, giving insight into how a show is performed and giving credit to those who participate in it. As someone unfamiliar with this form of entertainment, I found myself appreciating how the film sheds light on this area and why it is important to so many people. Drag shows in film have historically been used more often than not as a source of comedy, and I am glad to see a film like Clocked tackle the subject with the respect it deserves.

Still, I left wishing more time was spent in the boxing realm. While the film has its clear focus in the first half, the second half rarely sees any moments of training or fighting. I usually wouldn’t be bothered by this aspect of the film, but because one of Adolfo’s main sources of income came from boxing, I wish it was more utilized in moments. The ending is another area that left me wanting more. Clocked’s final moments ended Adolfo’s arc on a high note, but I wish the film went more into the aftermath. The film left me questioning the current state of some of the characters and how they were to react to Adolfo’s ending. Some characters had their moments, but a few extra minutes would’ve brought a bigger emotional punch while bringing clarity to some of my concerns.

Clocked is another engaging experience from the Indy Film Fest. Salzman’s commentary on sports and gender and how they parallel the themes of growing up left me in awe. Small, independent films can be hit or miss, but here is a film that manages to take two separate, complex ideas and weave them together seamlessly.

Clocked was screened as part of the 2024 Indy Film Fest. Buy virtual tickets here.