Liongate’s new mixed martial arts (MMA) movie, Beast, directed by Tyler Atkins, starring Daniel MacPherson as retired fighter Patton James and Russell Crowe as disgruntled coach Sammy, has landed in theaters and will be released tomorrow, April 10, 2026.
The movie is about a once-feared MMA champion (MacPherson) who is pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother is put in danger. Reuniting with the trainer (Crowe) who once made him a legend, he commits to one final showdown against
the reigning title-holder, with whom he has a brutal history.
The bar for MMA movies is — let’s be honest — incredibly low. Outside of Warrior, Here Comes The Boom, and Never Back Down. I mean, last year’s Smashing Machine starring The Rock couldn’t do anything special
So when something like Beast comes along, you’re not exactly expecting Rocky levels of storytelling or Warrior emotional depth. And while Beast doesn’t completely fall flat on its face, it also doesn’t exactly break new ground either.
You’ve seen this story before. A lot.
The rise, the fall, the redemption arc — it’s all here, packaged neatly inside the ONE Championship universe, which admittedly gives the film a unique coat of paint compared to other MMA-based movies.
At the center of it all is Patton James, played by MacPherson, who ends up being the film’s biggest strength. He’s easy to root for, carries the emotional weight well, and gives the movie just enough heart to keep you invested even when the plot starts feeling overly familiar.
And then there’s Crowe — who, unsurprisingly, is brilliant like always. Whether he’s chewing scenery or delivering quieter moments, Crowe elevates every scene he’s in. On the flip side, Xavier Grau, played by Bren Foster, makes for a solid antagonist. He’s the kind of bad guy you genuinely want to see get his ass kicked, which is exactly what you want in a fight movie.
Speaking of fights — they look good. Really good.
The choreography is slick, the camera work is clean, and the action pops visually. But there’s a catch: it all feels very… choreographed. There’s a lack of grit and unpredictability that MMA fans are used to, which might take you out of the moment if you’re looking for realism.
Another issue? Length.
The movie drags in spots and could easily have 20 minutes shaved off without losing anything important. Some scenes overstay their welcome, slowing the pacing just enough to be noticeable.
Still, there’s something oddly enjoyable about Beast. Maybe it’s the underdog story, maybe it’s the polished fight scenes, or maybe it’s just seeing a major film lean into the ONE Championship world — something we don’t get very often.
Hardcore MMA fans might roll their eyes at the cliches and lack of authenticity. But casual movie goers? They’ll probably eat this up. It’s a feel-good sports movie with the usual ups and downs, packaged in a way that’s easy to digest.
It’s not groundbreaking. It’s not terrible.
It just… is.
Final Grade: 6/10
