The Art of the Fight: From Gun-Fu to Karate, A Look at This Week’s Combat

This week is a masterclass in cinematic combat, with several new streaming releases showcasing wildly different but equally thrilling fighting styles. From the brutal elegance of “gun-fu” to the disciplined art of karate, get ready to witness the art of the fight in all its glory.
The most stylized combat comes from Ballerina (Starz, Sept 25). As part of the John Wick universe, the film features the franchise’s signature blend of martial arts, gunplay, and grappling, often referred to as “gun-fu.” Ana de Armas’s character, with her ballet background, brings a unique grace and fluidity to the brutal choreography, making every fight a deadly dance.
In sharp contrast, Karate Kid: Legends (Netflix, Sept 27) focuses on the traditional discipline of martial arts. The film showcases karate not just as a method of fighting, but as a philosophy for life. With Daniel LaRusso’s Miyagi-Do style and Mr. Han’s more acrobatic kung fu, the film presents a rich tapestry of martial arts techniques and principles.
The fighting in The Surfer (Hulu, Sept 25) is something else entirely: raw, desperate, and primal. There is no style or discipline here. The combat is a messy, realistic depiction of what happens when an ordinary person is forced into a violent confrontation. It’s less about choreography and more about the brutal reality of survival.
Finally, M3GAN 2.0 (Peacock) introduces a futuristic fighting style: android vs. android. The battles between M3GAN and the military model AMELIA are a showcase of speed, strength, and technological warfare. It’s a glimpse into the future of combat, where the fighters are faster, stronger, and more lethal than any human.