Martial arts movies may not dominate the box office like they did in the 1970s, but the 2020s have proven the genre is far from extinct. From the Oscar-winning chaos of Everything Everywhere All At Once to the bone-crunching intensity of The Furious and the stylish gun-fu of John Wick: Chapter 4, filmmakers are finding fresh ways to honor and reinvent the classics. Now, director Fergal Costello is adding his own wild twist with Kung Fu Deadly, a comedic supernatural action-adventure starring YouTube sensation Steven He. Ahead of its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, we've got an exclusive first look at He in the thick of a painful battle.
The film follows Danny (He) and his best friend Frank (Michael Tient), two hapless pest control operators in Dublin who stumble onto a gang of Chinese criminals attempting to resurrect a Jiangshi—a hopping vampire from Chinese folklore. They also meet Lien, a Taoist guardian who reveals that Danny is destined to join her in fighting the supernatural threat. The catch? Danny has zero training and no idea he's part of a legendary lineage. Now he must choose between his comfortable, mundane life and saving the world—with plenty of bumbling extermination skills to fall back on.
Our exclusive still captures Danny in the middle of a brutal fight, struggling to hold his own against Min Chun (Fiona Xie), who wields two sai. He's desperately blocking one blade with a staff while gripping the other with his bare hand—a clear sign that he's not exactly a natural-born warrior. But as the film's heart suggests, he doesn't have to go it alone. Kung Fu Deadly is ultimately a story about friendship, set against a backdrop of martial arts mayhem crafted by a team with serious action credentials.
A Stunt Veteran's Touch
Behind the camera, action director Lee Huang brings his expertise from projects like Warrior Nun and The Matrix: Resurrections to ensure the fight scenes are as thrilling as they are funny. The set was packed with veteran stunt performers, guaranteeing that the action matches the humor and heart. The cast also includes Gemma Chua-Tran (who's set to appear in the upcoming live-action Gundam movie), Jason Tobin from A Thousand Blows, and Max Huang from Mortal Kombat II. The script comes from Paul Markey and Paddy McDonald.
For fans of the genre, Kung Fu Deadly promises a fresh take on the classic buddy-action formula, blending supernatural elements with slapstick comedy. It's a reminder that martial arts cinema is alive and well, evolving with each new generation of filmmakers. If you're looking for more genre-bending entertainment, check out our coverage of a horror prequel with a football twist or a classic game's return.
Kung Fu Deadly will world premiere at Fantastic Fest, running September 17–24 at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin, Texas. Stay tuned for more exclusive looks at the festival's most exciting entries.
