embattled

EMBATTED Brings The Pain To The UK This July From Dazzler

Movie Review: Embattled (2020) – “FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY”

Given its popularity MMA has become the go-to subject matter for various films of varying qualities, with the variety of styles as diverse as the fighting methods presented in the cages around the world. Case in point ‘EMBATTLED’ (2020) which uses the MMA theme as a backdrop to tell the story of a fractured father-son relationship, and the tragedy that is often associated with broken familial ties. The troubled family presents an abusive and greedy MMA fighter Cash (Stephen Dorff) who despite mistreating his family is still somehow idolised by his young son Jett (Darren Mann), who seeks to don the gloves and fight like his father. Ultimately, this is a serviceable story about family dynamics with the MMA theme, with familial conflict playing out in a literal adversarial environment complete with actual combat. There is somewhat of a neat paradox, as the mending of a broken link is mended […]

EMBATTLED Brings The Pain To The UK This July From Dazzler

Lee B. Golden III

Director Nikolay Sarkisov’s MMA drama, Embattled, is coming to UK DVD on July 18 from Dazzler Media. The official trailer is here with performances by Stephen Dorff and Darren Mann. Raised by an abusive father, Cash (Stephen Dorff) channels his aggression to become a World Champion MMA fighter. Now accustomed to wealth, adulation and global popularity, he faces a new challenge when his second son is born with Williams Syndrome. But this time, rather than stand and fight, he runs. While Cash continues to make his fortune in the ring, his eldest son Jett becomes the care-giver to his younger brother Quinn. When Jett decides to follow his father’s footsteps and take to the fight game, he faces his past head on, embarking on a course inevitably pitting father versus son in a battle which, no matter the outcome, neither can win.

EMBATTLED Trailer: Father And Son Size Each Other Up In The Octagon

Lee B. Golden III

Talk about emotional… MMA and fight dramas certainly take the cake when it comes to this aspect of storytelling, and we’ve seen it quite a few times in films like Gavin O’Connor’s Warrior, David O. Russell’s Mickey Ward biopic, The Fighter, and even the upcoming Jungleland; When done right, they never disappoint, regardless of box office returns. Enter Krasny director Nick Sarkisov, back at the helm for his sophomore feature, Embattled, as of a few summers ago, with David McKenna’s script, and a cast led by Stephen Dorff and Darren Mann. IFC Films acquired the movie back and July, and we now have an official trailer along with key art ahead of a November 20 release. Raised by an abusive father, Cash (Stephen Dorff) channels his aggression to become a World Champion MMA fighter. Now accustomed to wealth, adulation and global popularity, he faces a new challenge when his second […]