Kickboxer: Retaliation 2018

As the dust settles on his intense eighteen-month vendetta against Tong Po, professional mixed martial artist Kurt Sloane finds himself at the pinnacle of his career, having recently triumphed over Renato Sobral using his signature move, the “Hurricane Armbar.” Yet, this victory is marred by recurring nightmares that disturb his sleep, in which he is trapped on a train with his wife Liu, battling for their lives amidst chaos. The haunting dreams inevitably lead Kurt to the depths of despair, as he’s left grappling with the frightening thought of drowning.

Soon after his fight, Kurt’s life takes an unexpected turn when two U.S. Marshals arrive with a stark command: he must return to Thailand to deal with the fallout from Tong Po’s defeat. When Kurt asks for proof of their authority, he is met with the shocking sting of a taser, bringing him into unconsciousness.

Upon awakening in a Thai prison cell, he encounters the elusive Thomas Tang Moore, the mastermind behind the underground tournament that saw the brutal confrontations between Kurt, Eric, and Tong Po. Thomas reveals that after Tong Po’s defeat, Kurt was to be the new champion, but his hasty exit created a void that urgently needed filling. This revelation is accompanied by taunts from Crawford, Tong Po’s former second-in-command, who now works for Moore.

Moore presents Kurt with a tempting offer: to fight the enormous 6’8”, 400-pound Mongkut for a staggering $1 million payday. However, Kurt holds firm to his convictions and declines the proposition. Confined in his cell, he faces a relentless barrage of threats from fellow inmates and harsh nightly whippings inflicted by the guards.

In this dark environment, Kurt befriends Briggs, an American boxer also imprisoned. Briggs imparts wisdom and comfort, guiding Kurt through the anguish of his treatment. Amidst this chaos, Kurt learns that his revered Muay Thai teacher, Durand, has been secretly training the prisoners, a sacrifice that has cost Durand his eyesight due to his unwavering commitment.

As Moore’s attempts to persuade Kurt deteriorate, she resorts to locating Liu at a train station with the aid of the corrupt cop Gamon. However, Liu is soon abducted by Moore’s henchmen, led by the crafty Somsak, who seek to leverage her against Kurt. In a moment of desperation, Crawford reveals a chilling video of Liu, pushing Kurt to accept the challenge and confront his enemies, including the formidable Mongkut, in a brutal showdown.

The story takes us to a local nightclub, where Kurt battles Joseph King’s new champion, Moss, ultimately escaping with help from Durand’s son, Travis. With newfound determination, Kurt tracks down Somsak, who discloses Liu’s location—Moore’s apartment. In a daring raid, Kurt, Gamon, and Travis strategize an attack against Moore’s henchmen, culminating in a showdown where Kurt faces off against Moore’s female guards in an elaborate mirror maze before finally rescuing Liu.

But as tensions rise, Moore’s right-hand man, O’Keefe, attempts to intervene, and Mongkut appears ready for battle. In a dramatic turn, Liu sacrifices herself to save Kurt, sustaining a brutal hit from Mongkut. This pushes Kurt to a breaking point where he declares he will confront Mongkut at any time, any place. Upon Liu regaining consciousness from her coma, she supports Kurt’s decision to fight.

As the warriors prepare to clash at an ancient Muay Thai temple, anticipation electrifies the air. Kurt and Mongkut face each other, their motives clear as strikes soon follow. Although Kurt demonstrates commendable resilience, Mongkut proves to be a formidable opponent. Just when it seems Kurt’s strength is fading, Liu intervenes, reviving him with a shock of adrenaline sourced from Rupert’s supplies, reigniting Kurt’s fighting spirit.

With renewed energy, Kurt delivers a series of powerful blows that ultimately send Mongkut sprawling to the ground. Surrounded by allies including Durand, Liu, Gamon, and Travis, Kurt’s victory echoes triumphantly, even reaching the confines of Briggs’ prison cell, where a rare smile breaks across his face.

As the film concludes, an end credit sequence showcases behind-the-scenes outtakes, leading viewers to a glimpse of Kurt as he prepares for his next MMA challenge, his eyes firmly set on the horizon and the daunting figure of Mauricio Rua.