Diablo

Diablo is a solid, high-octane action flick that punches well above its weight class. Scott Adkins brings his usual intensity & charisma, while Marko Zaror is genuinely menacing and unforgettable as the titular "Diablo." Their chemistry and physicality light up every scene they share.

The action sequences are well choreographed and relentless, just what you'd expect from a top-shelf B-grade action film. The plot, while not deeply layered, is cool and engaging enough to keep you hooked throughout. Interestingly, it throws you off in a good way, making you overlook a few holes here and there.

The girl who plays Adkins' daughter delivers a surprisingly strong performance and adds a layer of emotional depth to the film. One glaring oddity, though, is the complete absence of any police presence, even with all the chaos, violence, and body count, not a single cop gets involved. Also, there's not much background explaining how a bank robber ended up what seems like a major drug lord. But the fast pace and raw energy of the film provide enough distraction to keep you entertained.

The ending wraps things up well, leaving you satisfied. All in all, Diablo is a gritty, action-packed ride with standout performances from Adkins and Zaror. If you're into stylish brawls, tight fight scenes, and no-nonsense storytelling, it's definitely worth a watch.

8/10 & a thumbs up for the action lovers!

Diablo is the latest collaboration from three dynamic martial arts, action genre craftsmen; Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, and, Director, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza. The synergy of these three artists has resulted in a martial arts action film that is significantly great than the sum of its parts. This is one of the best action films released in years.

The story involves a recently released prisoner, played by Adkins, looking to seek revenge against his former crime partner and reveal long kept secrets that have the power to upend that partner's privileged life. The mission is complicated by the tenacity and resistance of Adkins' teenage kidnap victim, his partner's daughter. The addition of El Corvo, played by Zaror, a psychotic and deadly killer places Adkins' mission, and everyone's lives in mortal danger.

Diablo does what all successful, sustaining action and martial arts films do; that is, it doesn't rely solely on the action and fight choreography to carry the film. Diablo is a solid film. The script is good and plays out in a well told and tightly edited way. The filmmakers start this 91 minute rollercoaster ride by jumping immediately into the story and the action; however, the artful execution never leaves the viewer confused about what is happening, or how we got here. This is good storytelling.

There are four (4) central characters in this film. They are all well played and all carry their weight in service of the story. The film's main character, Kris Chaney, is player by Scott Adkins. Adkins is not only a solid martial arts action star whose action film credits are plentiful; he is also an adept actor, stunt man, writer, Director, and fight choreographer. He plays the role of aggrieved man on a mission well in this film. His greatest strength is in not overplaying the role. That is a sign, to me, that he has come into his own as a screen actor that transcends the genre.

Mark Zaror's chilling portrayal of El Corvo is nothing short of masterful. He strikes the right balance between No Country For Old Men's Anton Chigurth and Enter the Dragon's Mr Han, in Diablo, for a truly memorable villain. While Zaror's acumen in screen fighting has always been well established, this film makes it clear that he is also a really good movie actor, as well. I think viewers will be truly haunted by his performance in Diablo. While Adkins is, perhaps, the most recognizable member of the cast to US audiences, it is Zaror's character for whom the film is named.

As for the two additional, central characters played by Alana De La Rossa and Lucho Velasquez, their performances evidence a thoughtfulness in casting. Both are adept actors that play their parts memorably, but, like Adkins, serve the ensemble. Weakness in portrayal of either of these roles could have jeopardized the final product. Fortunately, the opposite was true; they elevate the film entirely.

Ernesto Díaz Espinoza, the seasoned Chilean filmmaker, whose martial arts homage, Fist of the Condor (2023), brought him to the attention of wider American martial arts audiences, has masterfully woven the elements of this film together into one of the most exciting and watchable films I have seen in years. His long standing relationship with Marko Zaror, certainly, benefitted this production. It is also a testament to his skills as a filmmaker that he was able to get the most out of his collaboration with Adkins and Zaror, not just as actors, but as Producers, writers, and fight choreographers. Sometimes the outcome of too many talents in one film production is destructive; that is not the case in Diablo.

While this movie could have been told as an action film, or a drama, it is, at its core, a high level and riveting martial arts action film. The thoughtful fight choreography is well designed, well executed, well filmed, and well edited. While still telling a great story, the film packs considerable action and fighting into its tight run time. We start with a great martial arts scene and the fighting does not let up. There are no throwaway fights in Diablo; they are all exciting to watch. Adkins and Zaror, respectively, have long histories of fight scene filmographies, yet their approach to this one is bold and unique and highly watchable. They capture gritty combat without the use of the dreaded "shaky cam" and the audience feels every punch and every kick. This is what martial arts film fighting should look like, but rarely does.

The three (3) filmmakers here all have a great knowledge of martial arts film history. Adkins is encyclopediac in this regards. That love and knowledge of martial arts films is felt in this one. There is no way to watch these two and not harken back to the climactic fight scene between Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon (1972). This film's fight scenes will surely be rebroadcast of highlight reels for year's to come.

Diablo is the best action and martial arts film I have seen this year, and one of the best in a long time.

The film is violent and brutal in parts.

I highly recommend Diablo.

Diablo isn't breaking new ground in the story department-revenge, betrayal, and brooding antiheroes are all here in familiar form-but what it does deliver is sharp execution, literally and figuratively.

Scott Adkins does what Scott Adkins does best: move like a damn machine and make the action look brutally efficient. The fight choreography is tight, fluid, and creatively staged, and the camera work actually does it justice (no shaky cam nonsense or hyper-edits). Action fans will be happy.

Big shoutout to the actress who plays Elissa-she brings a level of intensity and emotional grounding that elevates every scene she's in. While the plot's a bit vanilla, her performance is legit, and I hope to see her in more leading roles down the line.

Not a game-changer, but if you're here for adrenaline and clean fight sequences, Diablo delivers.

A "mythical killer" finally gets a chance at revenge, by putting his enemy's daughter in danger.

Unfortunately, this is a very straightforward and simplistic story with only a handful of solid fight sequences to hold it together. And while competently made, it feels like it never delivers more than the bare minimum.. resulting in a somewhat dull product. There's little tension or suspense, and no good lines or memorable moments.

I find particularly disappointing how it fails to sell the villain as a freakish, unstoppable force. That there's no emotional weight or payoff, and how it is just not engaging or fun to watch.

I quite enjoy Scott Adkins and usually enjoy his work, but this one falls flat and explodes dead on the floor.

Not bad, not bad at all.

Scott has done a few clunkers lately, so I wasn't sure what to expect here.

While not as good as the Undisputed series or Avengement, it's on the higher tier just below them to me.

A welcome return to lots of martial arts without the comedic nonsense that he too often does lately.

The actor who played the bad guy, I'd never heard of, but he did a great job as a menacing, serious opponent to Scott, especially with his "enhancements". You'll find out what I mean when you see the movie.

If you are a Scott Adkins fan or enjoy martial arts movies, it's well worth watching.