Beast (2026)

Beast (2026) Review: Equally formulaic and excellent

Brighton Nelson

10 Apr 2026 — 5 min read

I don't really get hyped about new MMA movies or even sports movies in general, but I do go and see practically every movie, so here I was, watching Beast on its last day in theaters. And, honestly...? It didn't disappoint, and was so much better than I'd ever expect. So, let's get into why this movie is good in today's review! Thanks so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy.

To kick this article off, I'll talk about the negatives. Other than the fact that I'd have loved to see a little more exploration of the main character's personality, the only "flaw" this film has is that it's more of the same MMA fare in a lot of ways. Since this film isn't a true story, the creators could've definitely infused it with a bit more innovation and creativity, much like the recent film Biker, which I felt did the concept better. I do not believe in adopting a pretentious guise that every film must be an innovative masterpiece to be good.

Still, I can definitely see why people might feel they've already seen a better version of this film. I don't seek out films like this on a regular basis, so it could be that this is fresher for me than most, but for longtime MMA film fans, it's more of the same. For some, that'll be a negative; for others, that'll be why this film is a must-watch. That's just something everyone will need to decide for themselves before checking this one out.

Para mí, there's a reason I'm a regular at Sonic; there's a reason couples love to wake up next to their same person every day; there's a reason cinephiles rewatch movies ad nauseam. If people like something, they want more of it. Like all of these things, we can tweak our orders, our marriages, or our watching experiences, but it's still fundamentally the same thing we're doing. It's not inherently bad to live a typical life, nor is it bad for movies to follow tried-and-true tropes. When you're a standout filmmaker who can do it well, you can make something equal parts formulaic and excellent, like Beast.

Crazy how often these MMA fights lead to cornering your opponent into the fence.

So let's move into these excellent elements. Beast has incredible fight sequences, offering some of the best of 2026 so far. The film is gritty, grounded, and doesn't glamorize the ring. Every punch carries extra weight because the film takes its time to really make you care about the lead's journey. The camerawork and practical effects are fantastic, and the way the film intercuts footage and dialogue in the fights to enhance the stakes and emotions was brilliant. These moments don't feel hokey like many sports films, in part because the main character's motivation is to support his family and avenge his loss, rather than gain glory. There's a great level of care put into making the fight feel like so much more than just a champion wanting to fuel his ego. The film also had some shots that looked like they were pulled straight from cable television in the best way, making the final match look both real and grounded in some shots, as well as distant (like his wife is) and grainy like old television.

While the action is really well executed, the film wouldn't be nearly as good without the time it takes to ratchet up the stakes and establish a reason for the viewer to care. The film takes time to delve into the relationships between the main character and how his actions have affected his wife, daughter, brother, current coach, previous coach, his good friend, and more. It explores themes of balancing being present while also providing for one's family, using developed skills. It explores earnest forgiveness, acceptance of past mistakes, and more. It juxtaposes the main character's desire to provide with his brother's desire for glory, and shows how knowing your purpose and limits affects the outcome of your life.

By the end of the film, once you reach the climax and it ends so simply, it feels earned and satisfying because it established its foundation correctly. I was far more emotionally invested in this final fight than in most action movies because I cared whether he won or lost, much like how I felt when watching Marty Supreme. I even teared up a bit at the end; it was that well-paced and executed.

Is Russell Crowe's 'Beast' 2026 Movie Streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video? | Decider — Totally awesome that Russel Crowe took a role like this. Makes me smile real big.

The Reel Ranker Verdict

Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 76%
Letter Score: A
Star Ranking: 4 out of 5

Beast may rely on tropes, and it isn't on a caliber to become one of my new favorite films. However, by creating a strong emotional foundation and personal, non-melodramatic stakes, every punch carries a lot of weight—and that's not just because the lead is buff and knows how to punch.

Check out some other reviews for action, sports, and drama flicks below! These lists will be continuously updating as I review more of the films I've watched 😄