Life After Fighting review by Bobby Blakey
As a martial artist myself and film lover I am always drawn to anything offering up or featuring martial arts. One of the more recent ones, Beast focused on the world of MMA and while a great film I was instantly intrigued by the kicking skills of the lead baddie played by Bren Foster. After much research realized he had been in the industry for years and is a true martial artist. Needless to say, I was excited when I came across his 2024 film Life After Fighting that he wrote, directed, stars and did the fight choreography. The film co-stars Cassie Howarth, Annabelle Stephenson, and Luke Ford, but does it bring the action I was hoping for or should it have stayed off the mat?
Life After Fighting follows retired martial arts world champion, Alex Faulkner who has settled into a simple life, when the disappearance of two of his students leads to an unthinkable discovery close to home. Just when all hope of finding the children is lost, he locates the imprisoned girls and surfaces an international child trafficking operation, which draws him back into the fight of his life against those behind it.
You never know going into these films, especially ones on a smaller budget if it captures the essence of the talent involved. I am not sure how Foster was never on my radar, but I am so glad he is now. He is a force to be reckoned with reminding me of a mash-up of Van Damme, Scott Adkins and Donnie Yen while being a beast all his own. He shows skills in front of and behind the camera to showcase a great action flick that brings the pain exactly as I hoped.
The story is simple enough but effective. The subject matter could be triggering to some, but it’s handled in a respective but effective way to keep the intensity and
impact intact without going too far overboard. It’s not something we haven’t seen before and reminded me of the action flicks of the 80s and 90s in the best way possible. Sure, there are the coincidence moments and over the top action, but I was here for it. They make some great choices to set up locals for the action that makes enough sense for the rest of the story without taking you too far out of the idea.
Where this film really shines is the action and it is spectacular. There are some simple fights early on, but thanks to it being mostly placed in the school it brings plenty of training moments. I loved the blending of traditional teachings and ideals infused with the excitement of training. I have been teaching for over 30 years and still find inspiration everywhere. There are moments that Foster gives advice or comments that are some of the exact things I have said to my students and elevates the film past just badass action but to respect for the arts and truth about what a martial artist is.
These are some of my favorite moments but make no mistake the final act brings the action that rivals anything else out there. It is a non-stop fight sequence featuring Foster taking on a barrage of guys made up of his spectacular fight team. It is filled with a blend of Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Jujitsu, and everything else you might imagine and it is outstanding. Foster has crafted a good film here, but amazing martial arts action that showcases his strengths in front of and behind the camera.
I hope we get to see more of him, getting the chance to showcase his skills on every level and I will be front and center to be there to see it. If you love action and martial arts then Life After Fighting is a film you should see.
Decide for yourself and check out Life After Fighting available now streaming on Prime Video.