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Embattled

2020

Nick Sarkisov

Stephen Dorff, Elizabeth Reaser, Donald Faison, Darren Mann ...

5.8

407

Action. Drama A son aspires to follow in his famous MMA father's footsteps, but along his journey must figure out how to break the abusive cycle, if possible, that his father has continued.

	Author	Review
United States	Guy Lodge Variety	"Stephen Dorff and Darren Mann commit valiantly to this unsubtle father-son MMA drama, but there's more physicality than psychology here."	NEU
United States	Michael Ordoña Los Angeles Times	"Starting with a smart, heartfelt script by David McKenna ('American History X'), the movie builds a textured investigation into toxic masculinity and its long-range effects."	POS
United States	Derek Smith Slant	"The film muddies its sense of moral righteousness by suggesting that violence and vengeance can only be defeated by more of the same (...) Rating: ★★ (out of 4)"	NEU
United States	Ben Kenigsberg The New York Times	"When it’s showing its sensitive side, the film (...) unexpectedly shines"	POS
United States	Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter	"The talented actor [Dorff], while delivering a fiercely compelling performance, is let down by the formulaic screenplay by David McKenna"	NEU
United States	Jared Mobarak The Film Stage	"I was hooked pretty much from the first scene (...) Many of the stops will seem familiar, but the ways in which they’re experienced are authentic and perhaps even surprising"	POS
United States	Michael Ordoña Los Angeles Times	"As an MMA actioner, 'Embattled' is an exciting, scrappy brawler. But as a moving family drama, it’s a contender."	NEU
United Kingdom	Leslie Felperin The Guardian	"Surprisingly insightful film (...) Part classic montage-showdown sports movie, part southern gothic Oedipal family drama, this decidedly peculiar but oddly compelling film is the proverbial curate’s egg (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"	POS

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