Kickboxer: Vengeance

Kickboxer: Vengeance is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Philo and Hoopla, and it earns its set pieces rather than just delivering them. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 447 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Alain Moussi's performance is the throughline that holds the set pieces together. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Disney Plus.

There is a reason Kickboxer: Vengeance keeps coming up in conversation. Kickboxer: Vengeance moves fast and earns its action sequences rather than just delivering them. Eric and Kurt Sloane are the descendants of a well-known Venice, California-based family of martial artists. Kurt has always been in older brother, Eric's shadow, as he lacks the instincts needed to become a champion. Against Kurt's concerns, Eric accepts a paid offer and travels to Thailand to challenge the Muay Thai champion Tong Po and fails with dire consequences. Alain Moussi and Dave Bautista lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2016. What separates Kickboxer: Vengeance from disposable action entertainment is character work that survives the explosions. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Kickboxer: Vengeance is the kind of thing you put on to unwind and find yourself sitting forward twenty minutes in. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Alain Moussi brings a physicality to the role that elevates every set piece. Action that earns its sequences rather than just delivering them.