Netflix has just dropped an action-packed film that’s a blend of John Wick and Rocky with its leading man being compared to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The movie, titled K.O., quietly premiered on the streaming giant today (June 6).
This French production, judging by its trailer released a few weeks ago, promises to deliver some pulse-racing scenes.
K.O. could potentially follow the recent trend of non-English language releases becoming hits on the platform.
Thriller A Widow’s Game recently rocketed to the top of the most-watched films among subscribers, while iHostage, Exterritorial, and Ad Vitam all enjoyed similar success.
The plot revolves around Bastien, who has lived as a hermit since he accidentally killed his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Enzo’s widow tracks him down and pleads for his help.
She maintains that Bastien is her only hope of finding Léo, her missing teenage son, in the northern districts of Marseille. She insists that he owes it to her family after the tragic circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, reports the Mirror US.
Haunted by guilt, Bastien embarks on a mission to find Léo. Along the way, he encounters Kenza, a young police officer determined to take down the new crime lords of Marseille.
With Léo in serious danger, time is running out.
The trailer reveals a narrative that might strike a chord with fans of the classic film Rocky and action-packed John Wick, particularly with the backdrop of MMA fights providing context to the drama.
The main character is then recruited to embark on a similar revenge mission against dangerous criminals, much like Keanu Reeves’ Wick or even Liam Neeson’s character in Taken. This is especially true given that a child’s life is also at stake in K.O..
This French production could be a welcome addition for fans of those films.
Ciryl Gane steps into the role of Bastien. Gane is a professional MMA fighter who previously had a career in Muay Thai.
He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion.
This marks his first leading role after making a supporting appearance in another recent action film, Den Of Thieves 2 : Pantera.
UFC enthusiasts are thrilled to see Gane take on this role, marking an exciting progression in his career. In fact, his performance in the role so far has drawn comparisons to another sports star.
Specifically, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who famously made the transition from being a WWE Superstar to a Hollywood action hero in films such as Jumanji and The Scorpion King.
Reacting to the film’s trailer, one viewer exclaimed: “Ciryl Gane is now The French Dwayne The Rock Johnson”. Meanwhile, another queried: “So Dwayne passed on this project?”.
Although the movie has not yet accumulated enough critiques to establish a Rotten Tomatoes rating, an early assessment suggests that aficionados of brisk action and skilful fight sequences will discover plenty to appreciate.
An early critique advised: “Director Antoine Blossier favours wide, clear shots, and the fights benefit from not having been edited to pulp or distractingly embellished with visual effects. If there’s a reason to watch K.O., this is it.”
K.O. is streaming on Netflix.