There's something irresistible about a sports movie comeback—the broken fighter, the grizzled trainer, the final bout where emotions hit as hard as the punches. Beast, the latest MMA drama starring Russell Crowe, taps into that timeless formula and delivers a surprisingly strong showing on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film currently holds an 80% critics' score and a 78% audience score on the Popcornmeter, making it one of the better-received MMA movies in a genre that hasn't exactly been overflowing with modern classics. Aside from Warrior and The Smashing Machine, the world of mixed martial arts has remained largely underexplored on screen—until now.
Directed by Tyler Atkins and co-written by Crowe and David Frigerio, Beast follows Patton James (Daniel MacPherson), a former MMA champion who's been away from the cage for years. When his younger brother lands in danger, Patton is pulled back into the fight world and reunites with the trainer who once made him a legend—played by Crowe. From there, it's a classic setup: one final showdown against the reigning champion. Because in sports dramas, retirement is basically just a plot device before the big battle scene.
The cast also includes Luke Hemsworth as Gabriel Stone, Mojean Aria as Malon, Kelly Gale as Luciana, George Burgess as Neal, Saphira Moran as Nadine James, and Bren Foster as Xavier Grau. It's a solid ensemble that brings both grit and heart to the ring.
So, is Beast worth watching? Early reviews suggest the film knows exactly what it is—a classic underdog sports drama that doesn't try to reinvent the cage. RogerEbert.com awarded it 3 out of 4 stars, hailing it as a sports movie that understands the formula and delivers on it. Critics have also highlighted the fight scenes, pointing to the physicality of the action and the impact of the blows inside the cage, with MacPherson's performance carrying much of the emotional and physical weight.
For fans of the genre, Beast offers a satisfying punch. And if you're looking for more action-packed thrills, check out how 'The Nowhere Man' became Starz's sleeper action hit of May 2026 or revisit James Cameron's 'True Lies'—still the ultimate action movie 32 years later.
Beast is now available on digital. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more.
