Determination, Identity, and the Unexpected Fight

Read Time:5 Minute, 41 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
JessZilla
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023, VOD 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Emily Sheskin
Where to Watch: available June 27, 2025, via VOD. Check www.jesszillathefilm.com for up-to-date information

RAVING REVIEW: If you’re going to watch any documentary, make it this one, but be prepared for the emotional ride ahead! There’s a rare immediacy in storytelling when the subject is so compelling that the film around them only needs to observe. That’s the case here, where the focus isn’t on the world but on something far more meaningful—an honest, grounded portrayal of a young athlete whose presence is magnetic, not because of what she might achieve, but because of what she already has. JESSZILLA doesn’t rely on forced drama. It draws you in by simply allowing a real person to exist in front of the lens, and in doing so, it crafts one of the most emotionally rewarding documentaries of the year.

What makes this work is its refusal to frame Jesselyn Silva as anything less than an icon. Yes, she’s a boxing prodigy. Yes, she has Olympic dreams. But the documentary’s power comes not from those ambitions alone—it’s in how it charts her growth. Her clarity and drive—all of it reads loud and clear, even when she says little. There’s no performance here. Jess doesn’t play to the camera. She just lives, and the camera knows to let her.

Director Emily Sheskin approaches the material with intention and restraint, choosing to capture rather than construct. This isn’t about charting victories or framing setbacks with dramatic cues. It’s about building an honest atmosphere where the subject’s inner world can shine through small gestures and lived-in routines. There’s a sense of trust throughout the film—trust in Jess to lead her story and trust in the audience to follow without being spoon-fed.

That same honesty is evident in the film's heart: the relationship between Jess and her father, Pedro Silva. He’s more than a coach—he’s an emotional anchor, a collaborator in her journey. Their bond is never reduced to sentimentality. Instead, it unfolds organically in their conversation, how they exchange glances after a sparring session, or in the quiet moments that fill their days. It’s in the friction as much as the affection. There’s a natural rhythm to their connection that Sheskin captures without leaning on exposition or explanation.

Rather than viewing boxing as the goal, the documentary frames it as the backdrop—a setting where deeper questions about identity, self-worth, and belonging are examined. Jess doesn’t train to prove a point. She trains because it’s who she is. Stylistically, the film thrives on its subtlety. Instead, the editing allows scenes to play out, finding resonance in the in-between. A moment of reflection in front of the mirror, a ride home after a tough match, a glance toward the future that says more than dialogue ever could—these threads stitch the story together. The result is a portrait that feels lived-in, not constructed.

There is a noticeable shift as the film moves into its latter half. The rhythm slows, not out of fatigue but out of necessity. Life changes. Challenges arise that have nothing to do with boxing gloves or punching bags. Jess faces something that doesn’t come with a game plan, and the film shifts with her. The camera doesn’t intrude. It respects the weight of the moment, offering space instead of exhibition.

This change in focus reflects the deeper purpose of the documentary—to honor its subject without embellishment. The cinematography grows more intimate. The score quiets down. Scenes breathe even more than before. And through it all, Jess remains unmistakably herself—steady, thoughtful, brave in the quietest ways.

For a brief moment during this shift, there’s a pause in momentum and a slight uncertainty. But that reflects something real: we don’t always respond with clear direction when life surprises us. The film mirrors that truth. And when it regains its footing, it does so with a renewed sense of clarity, echoing Jess’s resilience.

Above all else, this story works because it doesn’t need to announce its meaning. There’s no grand thesis. Instead, it invites the viewer into someone else’s life, asks them to sit down, pay attention, and walk away changed. It’s a quiet greatness built on care, perspective, and truth.

This final act isn’t built for tears, though they may come. It’s built for reflection. For honoring someone who gave the world her whole self, even in the face of unimaginable difficulty. The documentary doesn’t use this moment for shock or sentiment. It lets the reality stand. Doing so reminds us of what real strength looks like—not just in the ring but in every space in between.

If Jesselyn’s story impacted you, there’s a powerful way to honor her legacy. The Jesselyn “JessZilla” Silva Fund was created to support childhood cancer research, specifically targeting DMG and DIPG, and to assist families facing similar battles. This is more than a tribute; it’s a direct extension of the strength Jess showed every day. By donating, you help continue her fight and bring real hope to children and families confronting these devastating diagnoses. Learn more and contribute at http://curechildhoodcancer.org/jesszilla

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