The latest film adaptation of the popular video game Street Fighter has arrived in cinemas, marking another attempt to bring the iconic franchise to the big screen. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the movie revisits familiar territory nearly three decades after previous adaptations gained notoriety for their campy tone and mixed critical reception.
Set in the fictional East Asian country of Shadaloo, the story centers on the villainous M. Bison, portrayed by David Dastmalchian, who orchestrates a martial arts tournament to draw out the reclusive fighter Ryu, played by Andrew Koji. Bison’s goal is to steal Ryu’s “psycho power,” a source of formidable rage energy. The film follows the ensuing battles between a wide array of combatants, including wrestlers and martial artists, as they vie for supremacy.
The cast includes a mix of actors, fighters, and performers, such as professional wrestler Cody Rhodes and singer Orville Peck, who contribute to the film’s ensemble of competitors. Fifty Cent also appears, adding a surprising musical element to the fight sequences. The narrative loosely adheres to the video game’s iconic elements, featuring characters breaking the fourth wall to announce their names, a nod to longstanding fans of the franchise.
Critics have described the film as frenetic and self-aware of its own campiness, with some scenes likened to a modern art performance. However, the choreography of the fight sequences has been met with disappointment. Unlike the highly stylized and impactful action seen in recent martial arts and action franchises, the battles here are characterized by repetitive spins, kicks, and acrobatics that lack clear stakes or excitement.
This latest Street Fighter adaptation seems to continue the pattern of video game movies struggling to balance fidelity to source material with engaging cinematic storytelling. For followers of the game, the film offers familiar references and character moments, but for wider audiences, it may test patience with its uneven execution and prolonged fight scenes.