Frankie Dunn is a grizzled and aging boxing trainer who runs a gym in Los Angeles. He has been estranged from his daughter for several years and finds solace in his daily routine of going to mass and writing letters to her that he never sends. Frankie is content training his current boxer, "Big" Willie Little, who is a talented but undisciplined fighter.
One day, Maggie Fitzgerald walks into Frankie's gym, determined to become a professional boxer. She is an uneducated and working-class woman with a troubled past, but her talent and drive impress Frankie. Despite his initial reluctance, Frankie agrees to train Maggie and she becomes his new protégé.
Maggie quickly rises through the ranks of women's boxing, winning several fights and becoming a crowd favorite. She forms a close bond with Frankie and his assistant trainer, Scrap, who become like father figures to her. However, Maggie's success and determination also lead to tension between her and Frankie, who is hesitant to let her take risks in the ring.
As Maggie's career reaches new heights, tragedy strikes in the form of a devastating injury during a fight. Maggie is left paralyzed from the neck down and is told she will never walk or even breathe on her own again. Her dream of becoming a champion boxer is shattered, and she falls into a deep depression.
Despite her physical limitations, Maggie remains determined to lead a meaningful life and asks Frankie to help her die. Frankie initially refuses, but eventually comes to the painful decision to grant Maggie's wish. In a heartbreaking scene, Frankie euthanizes Maggie and then takes her body back to her family, finally making peace with his own past and the estrangement from his daughter.
Million Dollar Baby is a powerful and emotional film that explores themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships. The performances of the lead actors, Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, and Morgan Freeman, are exceptional and the film won several Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director for Eastwood, Best Actress for Swank, and Best Supporting Actor for Freeman.