while the film's culmination is an extremely realistic MMA fight, its point is not embedded in the sport; It's a movie about family trauma and how one overcomes it; The script, written by David McKenna, is extremely impactful, as are the performances
Stephen Dorff and Darren Mann commit valiantly to this unsubtle father-son MMA drama, but there's more physicality than psychology here; Still, it's gripping in the moment, and gives you a clear rooting interest, thanks in no small part to Mann
an MMA drama with heart, conviction and a killer right hand jab, "Embattled" is a different kind of fighter story; Darren Mann steals the show, gives "Embattled" the humanity it needs to stand out among the other fighters in its weight class
a well-cast Stephen Dorff puts in some of his best work as a real piece of work, put against the younger Darren Mann as his son, and the film plays out in a familiar, yet exciting, and ultimately emotional, in a somewhat subversive way
A testosterone substitute in drama form, "Embattled" practically peacocks onto the screen; When it's showing its sensitive side, the film, scripted by David McKenna and directed by Nick Sarkisov, unexpectedly shines