Cage Rage

A sports drama crime thriller written by Matt Newton, directed by Newton and Lucy Yong and starring Newton, Chloe Rann, Connor Horrigan and Kim Michelle.

Joey (Newton) has recently separated from his partner, Ellie (Michelle) and is currently competing in Mixed Martial Arts, in the hope of becoming pro. However, his trainer, Mike (Bryan Lawrence) demands that he attends sessions more regularly, so Joey quits his job and what does he do? He collaborates with his cousin, Liam (Horrigan), a drug dealer and gets involved in his illegal activites: selling drugs for crime boss and nightclub owner, Mr Suarez (Silvio Simiac). Joey tries hard to make ends meet and succeed in his sport, unfortunately things go out of control in the drug business, threatening not only his career, but his life too.

The world of combat sports and the underworld are combined in order to tell a dramatic story about the struggles of a guy trying to pursue his goals and win back the woman he loves. The narrative could be split-up into two alternating storylines: MMA training and competition and crime. The script follows Joey and he trains hard to improve his fighting skills and wins fights, hopin to eventually face-off with cocky champion, Nico (Nathaniel Wood), while simultaneously making money by dealing drugs for Suarez and his daughter, Sacha (Rann). Eventually, tensions rise in both parts, with plenty of martial arts training, fighting in a cage, dangerous men, guns and life-threatening situations.

As well as having an intriguing plot, this feature has a fair number of interesting people. As the main character, Joey has a tragic past and he is hardly a likeable guy. He is short-tempered, aggressive, disrespectful and involved in drug dealing. Although he means well, he could be classified as an anti-hero. As a ruthless, feared gangster and an abusive parent, Suarez serves as the main antagonist and so does his son, Nico, who is a character who is the equivalent of Johnny in the first The Karate Kid film. As for Sacha, she ends up being Joey's romantic interest. Special mention goes to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert Valmyr Neto whose role turns into that of Joey's mentor and co-director, Yong adds her own quality as a deadly assassin.

Combat sports and crime aside, this is a story about pursuing goals, about embracing the will to have a better life, about redemption, regrets, relationships and parenting.

A feature with cage fighting, criminals and meaningful drama. Fans of crime films and martial arts are arguably the target audience. And the soundtrack is pretty cool.