K.O.

"K. O. 2025," directed by Antoine Blossier, is a French action thriller that has quickly garnered attention, especially on streaming platforms like Netflix. Released on June 6, 2025, the film stars MMA fighter Ciryl Gane in a lead role, which undoubtedly contributes to the film's gritty authenticity and appeal to action movie enthusiasts.

At its core, "K. O. 2025" is a story of redemption and consequence. The plot revolves around Bastien (Ciryl Gane), a former MMA fighter haunted by a past tragedy: the accidental death of an opponent in the ring years prior. This traumatic event has clearly left him reclusive and emotionally scarred. His world is dramatically shaken when he is pulled back into the violent underworld of Marseille. The catalyst for his return is the desperate plea of the deceased opponent's widow, who seeks his help in finding her missing son, Léo (Maleaume Paquin). This premise immediately sets up a compelling emotional conflict for Bastien, forcing him to confront the very pain he has tried to escape.

The film then plunges Bastien into a dangerous quest, where he must confront a brutal crime gang in Marseille. This criminal element is personified by characters like Abdel Manchour (Foued Nabba), a ruthless gangster, and Kenza (Alice Belaïdi), a determined police officer who teams up with Bastien. The narrative promises a blend of raw action and intense drama, as Bastien navigates the treacherous criminal landscape in a bid to find Léo and, perhaps, find some semblance of peace for himself.

One of the most praised aspects of "K. O. 2025" is its action sequences. With Ciryl Gane, a real-life MMA powerhouse, in the lead, the film leverages his expertise to deliver realistic and impactful fight choreography. Reviews have highlighted that the action is not overly reliant on excessive CGI or choppy editing, a common complaint in modern action cinema. Instead, the focus seems to be on visceral, well-executed hand-to-hand combat that feels earned and believable. This commitment to realism distinguishes it from many Hollywood blockbusters and contributes to its "gritty" feel.

Beyond the action, the film also aims for emotional depth. Bastien's journey is not just about fighting criminals; it's about confronting his guilt, seeking forgiveness, and forming an unlikely bond with Léo, the son of the man he inadvertently killed. This human element, alongside the fast-paced thriller aspects, is what elevates "K. O. 2025" beyond a simple fight film. The R rating and its relatively short runtime of 84 minutes suggest a lean, focused narrative that prioritizes impact and pacing.

The success of "K. O. 2025" on Netflix speaks to a global audience's appetite for well-made, foreign-language action films that deliver on their promises without being overproduced. It stands as another example of non-English cinema providing compelling and satisfying experiences that resonate with viewers looking for something beyond typical Hollywood fare. While specific critical reception on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes might be limited due to its recent release and potentially its niche appeal, early audience responses are overwhelmingly positive, praising its excitement, suspense, and the strength of Gane's performance as an action hero. "K. O. 2025" appears to be a true knockout for fans of the genre, offering a blend of intense action and a poignant tale of redemption.

In no ways is this a bad film, it just left with a lot to be desired. Let's start with the good! The few action scenes there were in this film were really fun and engaging, they weren't super original per say, (there's the nightclub fight scene that is in every single action movie now) but fun nonetheless. The performances were pretty good, and I really dug the directing. Now the issues, first and foremost, I felt like this film was too short (which is not a common issue for me to have), but it's hard for me to believe that this movie wouldn't have improved with an extra 10 to 15 minutes of runtime, it would've given the ability to fix my next issue, a severe lack of depth in any of the characters. Even in the leading duo, you learn about their tragic backstory, they make out, and that's about it. The actors did well portraying the characters, I just didn't like the characters. Overall this film was mildly annoying, because the concept and directing gave me so much hope that this was gonna be a really unique movie, but it all got lost inside of action cliches, and sloppy writing.

For reasons best left to sociologists and film students of the far future, these types of action films have been out of favor recently, lost in an endless sea of DEI and similar themed product. So it is entirely possible that audiences have forgotten what a good action film feels like. A good action film feels just like this one, with a solid lead that you can relate to -- Gane does a great job -- and a director who knows enough not to waste his time, or yours. Recommended. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

"K. O." starts off with the promise of a hard-hitting thriller but fails to fully deliver on its premise. The setup has potential, and there are a few moments of well-shot tension, but overall, the movie feels uneven and undercooked.

The biggest weakness lies in the script-it lacks nuance, relies on clichés, and doesn't offer much depth to its characters. What could have been an intense psychological or action-driven ride instead becomes a collection of generic scenes strung together with little emotional payoff. The pacing drags in places, and even the fight choreography-expected to be a highlight-is inconsistent.

Some performances do their best to elevate the material, and there are flashes of style in the cinematography, but it's not enough to save the film from mediocrity. By the end, "K. O." feels like a missed opportunity more than anything else.

Not terrible, but not memorable either.

I had to do a double take... is this THE Ciryl Gane from the UFC, or an actor that looks the same with the same name?

Welp, to my surprise it IS UFC fighter Ciryl Gane, and this guy can act!

The story wasn't anything revolutionary, and some of the fight scenes (mostly the ones with the knives and machetes) were a little cheesy (as was the gang's boss), and the story pretty much predictable, yet Gane's massive presence and on-point acting elevated this move to an enjoyable popcorn action flick.

The female lead was however a little annoying and way too small to be convincing fighting next to Gane.

Either way, a solid 6/10 from me.