Beginning in the year 2008, there have now been four films in the Never Back Down series. The first film was essentially The Karate Kid meets The Fast and the Furious. On paper it was the perfect union to make it a smash hit. Unfortunately the film failed to perform as well as either source of inspiration, although it was modestly successful enough to warrant a DTV sequel. This sequel became an additional two, and now we arrive at the fourth chapter, Never Back Down: Revolt.
Whereas the first two sequels connected to one another, and the original, the latest entry is a stand-alone story that shifts from sunnier climates to London, and the protagonist from male to female. Not only is our lead character female for the first time in the series, Never Back Down: Revolt has been written and directed by women too; Kellie Madison directed the script written by Audrey Arkins. The talent in front of the camera reflects those working behind it, and this fourth movie is all about embracing feminine strength and resilience. It’s a great move forward for the series as female characters have been lacking so far, mainly existing as love interests for the men, despite most of them being fighters in their own right.
Never Back Down: Revolt begins when Anya (Olivia Popica) is drafted to take part in a fight to help alleviate her brother’s debt. Having performed well, Anya finds herself kidnapped and forced into a series of battles for her freedom. As the premise suggests, Kellie Madison’s Never Back Down film is much darker in tone than what has come before. The more serious tone and topic push the series for the first time into the 18 certificate arena, due to it being more aggressive and bloodthirsty. Taking the tournament and battle-of-honour angle out of the piece and replacing it with such a stark subject matter adds an element of horror, removing the feel-good martial arts movie vibes that have seen the series through until now. In changing itself so dramatically, there’s a strong sense that this is a Never Back Down film in name only, a sneaky trick that is often used to ensure eyeballs on a movie that might otherwise get lost. There’s also a strong chance those fans of the previous films will be lost as this is a much more confronting watch.
The fights themselves are scrappy and visceral. Without a formal grudge match or big competition to train for, the need for precision and excellence disappears. Anya and the other women aren’t fighting for prestige or honour, but for their lives and freedom. This gives the battles an edge of desperation and unpredictability, meaning that nothing about them looks clean and glossy.. An important component to the story is that, despite women on women violence, the group don’t actually want to fight each other. The captives embrace more of a sisterhood than the overdone females at war. It’s a nice change of pace to see women be able to work together rather than turn on one another. Another interesting switch-up is that, for once, it isn’t a man running the show and by having a woman at the top, the fate of Anya and her friends seems so much worse. How another woman can betray others and place them into this Hellish nightmare feels especially cruel.
A definite departure from what has come before it, Never Back Down: Revolt leads the series into a dangerous new territory. The changes make for a story far darker in tone, a move that may not suit everybody’s tastes, nor will the decision to push the martial arts aspects deep into the background. Judged outside of the franchise, Never Back Down: Revolt has some interesting ideas, the female angle working in its favour. A less sunny and more serious glimpse into the reality of underground fight rings, Never Back Down: Revolt stands apart from its predecessors, but in pushing so hard to be different, it will potentially alienate the audience that fell in love with the series.
Never Back Down: Revolt
Summary
The Fast and Furious meets Karate Kid vibes of the first film are beaten to a pulp with Kellie Madison’s movie replacing gloss and glitz with grit and tears. It’s a move that works to create a more serious and grounded story, but one that holds original fans at too far a distance.
Never Back Down: Revolt is available to Download & Keep and to rent on Digital from 21st February 2021.
