REVIEW – K.O. wasted no time muscling its way into Hungary’s Netflix Top 10, bringing a shot of fresh energy to the French action genre thanks to MMA superstar Cyril Gane’s debut. This fast-paced, 90-minute slugfest isn’t just for fight fans—crime and action movie buffs will also find plenty to enjoy. With its story set against the gritty backdrop of Marseille’s underworld, the film pulls you in fast—helped along by Netflix’s algorithm, which shot it straight to the top. From the opening round, it’s clear Gane doesn’t just dominate in the octagon—he’s more than capable of commanding the screen as well.

When you cast an MMA fighter in your lead role, you know exactly what you’re getting into—no false advertising here. K.O. stars Cyril Gane, heavyweight bruiser of the UFC, playing what’s essentially himself under the alias Bastien. The film wastes zero time: it’s all about raw adrenaline, brutal exchanges, and survival. If you’re looking for a subtle character study or psychological drama, look elsewhere; but if you want French flavor, relentless action, and no-nonsense brawls, you’re in for a treat.

When One Punch Changes Everything

Bastien isn’t your typical lone wolf: after a fateful match where he accidentally knocks out his opponent Enzo for good, he severs all ties to his old life. He hides out in the countryside, scrapes by with odd jobs, and does everything possible to avoid human contact. But solitude doesn’t last forever—Enzo’s widow soon tracks him down, asking for help to find their missing son, Léo (Maleaume Paquin), who’s vanished into the brutal gang wars raging in Marseille’s criminal underground.

Although Bastien vowed never to fight again, guilt and a sense of responsibility drag him back into action. Along the way, he crosses paths with Kenza (Alice Belaïdi), a maverick cop who’s as hard-edged as they come and isn’t shy about bending the rules—or letting a hulking MMA maniac tag along on her investigation. Their partnership is so wild it almost feels like a buddy comedy, as they attempt to restore order to a city on the edge.

Brawling in Fast-Forward, Tropes Turned Up to Eleven

K.O. never lets its foot off the gas. With a tight 90-minute runtime, there’s no room for slow-burn tension or emotional deep-dives—Bastien’s abandoned pacifism, Kenza’s off-the-books heroics, Léo’s grief, all get resolved at breakneck speed, as if someone hit fast-forward. Traditional film fans may gripe, but the pacing is all part of the fun, with more than a hint of self-aware humor. This is a film that doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not—here, the fight choreography and spectacle come first, last, and always.

And honestly, the action delivers: two set-pieces stand out—the first, a neon-lit nightclub showdown that would make even John Wick nod in approval, and the second, a chaotic police station melee that’s less about guns and more about bodies flying. Director Antoine Blossier keeps the camera wide and steady, letting the raw combat take center stage without resorting to cheap editing tricks or digital overkill.

Cyril Gane is a beast in every sense—massive, agile, and, in a few tongue-in-cheek moments, even willing to poke fun at himself. The choreography makes full use of his size and speed, and the film plays with the “big guy who can move” dynamic with plenty of visual gags. If you’re just here for a wild, quick-hitting MMA brawler, this one won’t disappoint.

Vive la French MMA?

K.O. isn’t France’s first swing at turning MMA icons into streaming stars—The Cage already proved how much dramatic heft the genre can handle. But this movie is much more of a no-frills action affair, closer to the likes of Ad Vitam or Exterritorial: simple, efficient, and made for UFC die-hards, though casual viewers looking for a wild night in won’t feel left out.

No one’s here for a game-changing drama—but when it comes to raw action, street-level brawling, and pure French grit, K.O. is a heavyweight champ. Sitting comfortably among the most-watched films on Hungarian Netflix, this movie is exactly what it promises: switch off your brain, buckle up, and enjoy the carnage. Cyril Gane and his French fight club bring just the right amount of chaos for your next adrenaline fix.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-