The Last Kumite

Movie Trailer

Release Date
May 14, 2024 (United States)
May 9, 2024 (Germany)

Genre
Action, Martial Arts

Cast & Crew

• Mathis Landwehr as Michael Rivers
• Matthias Hues as Ron Hall
• Kurt McKinney as Damon Spears
• Billy Blanks as Master Loren
• Cynthia Rothrock as Julie Jackson
• Michel Qissi as Wolf
• David Anthony Kurzhal as Marcus Gantz
• Monia Moula as Lea Martin
• Kira Kortenbach as Bree Rivers
• Mike Derudder as Dracko
• Abdel Qissi as Det. Dobrev

Director
Ross W. Clarkson

Producer
Sean David Lowe, Wayne A. Graves

Writer
Sean David Lowe, Ross W. Clarkson

Budget
Low-budget (Crowdfunded via Kickstarter)

Box Office Performance
To be determined

Production Company

• Lowe Media & Quest Media
• Capelight Pictures

Distributed By
Capelight Pictures, MPI Media Group (USA)

Running Time
105 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R (Restricted)

Content Advisory

• Intense martial arts violence
• Kidnapping themes
• Mild language

Movie Story
“The Last Kumite” follows Michael Rivers (Mathis Landwehr), a martial artist at the pinnacle of his career, who has just won an official martial arts competition. Rivers plans to retire peacefully, but his victory attracts the attention of Ron Hall (Matthias Hues), a ruthless promoter and human trafficker operating in Eastern Europe. Hall invites Rivers to participate in a secret underground martial arts tournament in Bulgaria, offering a million-dollar prize. Despite the tempting offer, Rivers declines, choosing to focus on his family and leave his fighting days behind.

However, Hall, determined to recruit the best fighters to face his underground champion, Dracko, resorts to extreme measures. Dracko is notorious for his brutal fighting style, often crippling or killing his opponents. To ensure Rivers’ participation, Hall kidnaps his daughter, Bree (Kira Kortenbach), leaving Rivers with no choice but to enter the tournament. Upon arriving in Bulgaria, Rivers encounters fellow fighters Damon Spears (Kurt McKinney) and Lea Martin (Monia Moula), who have also been blackmailed into joining the competition to save their loved ones. Together, they form a fragile alliance, united by their desire to defeat Hall and rescue their families.

As the tournament progresses, Rivers and his allies receive help from Master Loren (Billy Blanks), whose wife was murdered by Hall, and Julie Jackson (Cynthia Rothrock), Dracko’s former sensei. Both martial artists prepare Rivers for the challenge of facing Dracko, knowing that his life and the lives of his companions hang in the balance. The tournament itself becomes a deadly game of survival, with Rivers forced to fight not only for the prize but for his daughter’s freedom. Every match pushes him closer to Dracko, who eagerly awaits the opportunity to test his lethal skills against Rivers.

The climax of the film comes when Rivers finally faces Dracko in an intense, high-stakes battle. With the guidance of Loren and Jackson, and the support of his newfound friends, Rivers must use every technique he has learned to take down the seemingly invincible champion. As the dust settles, Rivers emerges victorious, but not without cost. The film concludes with Rivers and his allies successfully rescuing their families, having learned that the strength of their bonds and the fight for justice far outweigh any prize money.

Special Effects
“The Last Kumite” showcases a mix of practical effects and intense fight choreography that pay homage to classic martial arts films like Bloodsport and Kickboxer. The fight scenes are carefully choreographed, with minimal CGI, focusing on hand-to-hand combat and the physical prowess of the actors. The use of real locations in Bulgaria adds an authentic underground tournament feel to the film.

Filming Locations

• Bulgaria
• Los Angeles, California

Notable Quotes

• “Fighting isn’t just about strength, it’s about what you’re willing to sacrifice.” – Michael Rivers
• “You don’t fight for glory here, you fight for survival.” – Damon Spears
• “Dracko doesn’t stop until his opponent is either crippled or dead. Are you ready for that?” – Julie Jackson

Behind-the-Scenes
The film was funded through Kickstarter, supported by fans of classic martial arts films. With a limited budget, the filmmakers leaned heavily on practical effects, real fight sequences, and the expertise of martial artists like Billy Blanks and Cynthia Rothrock. Composer Paul Hertzog and Stan Bush, known for their work on Bloodsport and Kickboxer, contributed to the soundtrack, bringing a nostalgic feel to the film’s score.

Final Verdict
“The Last Kumite” is a must-watch for fans of 80s and 90s martial arts films. It successfully captures the essence of those classic movies, delivering thrilling fight sequences, intense drama, and a nostalgic soundtrack. With a strong cast of martial arts veterans and a story that balances action with heartfelt motivation, this film stands as a tribute to the golden era of action cinema. The low-budget nature of the film doesn’t detract from its quality, as the passion behind the project shines through in every scene.

Image Source: Theatrical release poster