Retired MMA fighter Patton James (Daniel MacPherson) struggles to make ends meet while working on a fishing boat in order to support his wife Luciana (Kelly Gale) and their daughter. When his estranged brother Malon (Mojean Aria) is seriously injured in a fight against Patton’s former nemesis Xavier Grau (Bren Foster), Patton agrees to return to the ring to fight him once again. Having burned his bridges during his time as an MMA fighter, Patton tries to make amends and turns to his old trainer Sammy (Russell Crowe) for help.
‘Beast’ is an MMA drama co-written by Russell Crowe, who also stars in the movie as MMA coach Sammy. The story is typical of a sports drama, with Patton ticking most of the boxes of a troubled washed-up star who thought he’d left his former life behind him. After his last run as an MMA fighter ended with him in prison, Patton turned his life around and started a family, turning his back on the life he once had. By doing so, he alienated those around him and left them high and dry.
When Patton’s brother Malon is injured, Patton is pulled back into the world of MMA fighting by Gabriel (Luke Hemsworth), the untrustworthy manager of Xavier. Given only several weeks to train for the upcoming fight, Patton’s decision tests his marriage and his own mental health. Having fallen out with Sammy due to his behaviour years earlier, Patton looks to Sammy’s daughter Rose (Amy Shark), who is now a trainer herself. As Patton throws himself into training, and puts everything on the line, we see his battle to get fight ready, which has plenty of hurdles along the way.
There are some questionable moments along the way. Patton doesn’t put up a great fight when he’s thinking about stepping back in the ring. An event part way through the film at least justifies his decision but it doesn’t really explain why Patton’s wife Luciana does a complete 180 and changes her mind about supporting him in his ambition. Similarly, the history between Patton and Sammy isn’t explored extensively enough and there was plenty of interesting material to mine there.
‘Beast’ isn’t a bad film but it doesn’t really offer up anything you’re not expecting. Patton’s trajectory from former MMA fighter to reclaiming his glory in the ring hits all of the expected beats, and while it’s entertaining enough to watch, I felt like I’d seen this movie before. Daniel MacPherson, who is mostly known for his time on ‘Neighbours’, commits to the role of Patton with gusto and he proves he’s got some serious acting chops. Even some ropey dialogue becomes passable in his hands, and he turns Patton into someone you’ll root for.
Russell Crowe doesn’t have a lot to do as Sammy, apart from be grumpy and angry (classic Russell Crowe) so I wouldn’t say this film will satisfy his legions of fans. Bren Foster brings plenty of energy as Xavier, a MMA fighter with no scruples and seemingly no conscience either. The film hits its best moments when Patton and Xavier are interacting, with their relationship always threatening to breakout into a fight.
‘Beast’ is a solid film that could have done with shaving a little off its run time. It's entertaining but it’s not a stellar sports film. The characters are sufficiently fleshed out and the story is engaging enough, it just never manages to really soar. Come for the fight sequences but don’t expect anything that’ll change your life – if you watch it with the right expectations, you’ll likely find you quite enjoy it.
Cast: Daniel MacPherson, Russell Crowe, Luke Hemsworth, Bren Foster, George Burgess, Mojean Aria, Kelly Gale, Amy Shark Director: Tyler Atkins Writers: David Frigerio, Russell Crowe Certificate: 15 Duration: 114 mins Released by: Vertigo Releasing Release date: 1st June 2026
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