BEAST

(director/writer: Taylor Atkins; screenwriters: Russell Crowe, David Frigerio; cinematographer: Thomaz Labanca; editor: Todd E. Miller; music: Brian Cachia; cast: Daniel MacPherson (Patton James), Luke Hemsworth (Gabriel Stone, Gabriel’s fight manager), Kelly Gale (Luciana), Sol Nc Carrico (Maddie), Bren Foster (Xavier Gran), Mojean Aria (Malon, Patton’s brother), Saphira Moran (Nadine James), Russell Crowe (Sammy), Amy Shark (Rose); Runtime: 113; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Tim O’Hair, David Frigerio, John Schwarz, Michael Schwarz; Lionsgate; 2026)

“Had no knock-out punch.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Taylor Atkins (“Ocean-Boy”) directs this cliched MMA sports drama. It’s written by Russell Crowe and David Frigerio, who weigh in with a featherweight but emotional script.

Patton (Daniel MacPherson) is an MMA fighter who knocks out in the octagon Xavier Grau (Bren Foster) and then serves a long prison sentence for a crime he committed. After his release, he barely survives as a commercial fisherman, supporting his wife Luciana (Kelly Gale) and daughter (Sol Nc Carrico). When his estranged younger brother Malon (Mojean Aria) is injured before a match with the now champion Xavier, Patton decides to fight his rival again to save his brother from being in debt. Patton arranges the terms of the fight with Gabriel (Luke Hemsworth), Xavier’s manager.

Russell Crowe plays Patton’s old fight trainer, who reunites with him. Amy Shark plays Sammy’s daughter Rose, who assists in the training.

Patton needs the $150,000 prize money also to pay for medical expenses for his daughter.

The punchy film had no knock-out punch, but the fight scenes were serviceable.

REVIEWED ON 4/11/2026  GRADE: C
dennisschwartzreviews.com