Life After Fighting - Film Review

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Written and directed by, and starring Bren Foster, Life After Fighting will be available to Buy or Rent on Digital SVOD Platforms, including Amazon Apple Store, Foxtel Store, Google Play, YouTube & Fetch TV from 21 August 2024. With a running time of 120 mins and rated MA15+, it also stars Luke Ford, Cassie Howarth, Annabelle Stephenson, Jake Ryan, and Ethan Browne.

A former martial arts world champion, Alex Faulkner (Bren Foster) runs a successful school for martial arts for adults and kids alike. Surgical issues see him retired from competitive sports, but he loves teaching future champions and the school becomes his primary focus. A family affair, his cousin works at reception, and her daughter, his student. His tranquil existence and retirement from competition is about to be shattered, when Samantha (Cassie Howarth) walks in the door, wanting to enrol her son Terry (Anthony Nassif), and herself for private lessons; under the watchful eye of her ex-husband Victor (Luke Ford), who has a problem letting go.


An inexplicable abducting of two young students from the martial arts school strikes at the very heart as one of the girls is Alex's cousin Julie Creylan's (Annabelle Stephenson) daughter Violet (Arielle Jean Foster). Shattered and facing all avenues of hope dwindling, Samantha by chance discovers the the awful truth; a shocking revelation that's close to home. Her ex Victor is involved and he threatens to harm their son if she calls in the police. Her cry for help reaches Alex who arrives on the scene and must now navigate the fight of his life. Under threat of a child being harmed, he brings it to home turf where they stand a better chance.

If you're looking for an action-packed martial arts story, 'Life After Fighting' will not disappoint. Fight scenes are well-choreographed, hard-hitting, and wonderfully executed. As a renowned martial arts supremo, boasting nine-time world champion status in six different disciplines, with black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, Hwarang-do, and Brazilian jiujutsu, Bren Foster has been able to showcase his talent, knowledge and expertise in crafting the fight scenes in the film. And there's enough to keep martial arts aficionados happy. The fights between the good guys and the bad guys are steeped in realistic outcomes which was good to see. Another standout performance that's noteworthy comes from Annabelle Stephenson who is a natural and expresses her emotions that engage you to her character.


For me, the rest of the story wasn't as hard-hitting as the fight scenes which were the heftier part of the film. It felt loosely put together for content but without substance. Aside from being the bullied ex-wife and a single mum, there's not much else in character development to draw you to the lead female protagonist. Though her doe-eyed son played by Anthony Nassif was absolutely adorable, and did extremely well at his tender age, for his part in a 'bloody' scene. The abductions though seemingly with international connections, did not come across as an international ring, but a small-time add-on to pack the story with interest. As a result, the tragedy contained did not pull at the heartstrings as it ought to have. A waste of talent for Luke Ford, known for his part in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, but his performance was excellent as Victor the ex-husband, a villain with meanness pouring out of his every pore.

Eddie Arrazola as Arrio Gomez - a current champion, egging the ex-champ on, to prove once and for all who was the better fighter is another small scene that fizzles, and has none of the impact of a Rocky Balboa story, and comes off like a 3rd rate copycat. However, the fight scene itself was amazing. Overall the film dragged a little in parts with some stilted performances and could have been made a little leaner, but is completely watchable for the martial arts contained if you're a fan. For me, it needed as much work on the rest of the content as it afforded the fight scenes. You may feel differently about it, and that's the beauty of individuality. We all respond differently, but I'd still support homegrown productions always. This Aussie film may not be 'all that', but remains a good afternoon or evening of entertainment, with Ethan Browne away from Home and Away, and on the big screen.



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