WFG RATING: A+

Vertical Entertainment presents a Spinning Plates production in association with Blue Stone Media and Broken Yellow. Written and directed by Bren Foster. Produced by Navid Bahadori, Bren Foster, and Chelsea Jean Foster. Cinematography by Shane Parsons. Edited by Paul Black.

Stars Bren Foster, Cassie Howarth, Luke Ford, Annabelle Stephenson, Arielle Jean Foster, Anthony Nassif, and Eddie Arrazola. 

Australian martial arts actor Bren Foster unleashes his skills in a way like never before in his directorial debut.

Alex Faulkner is a former world martial arts champion who after being forced into retirement decides to use his skills for a better purpose. Now a full-time martial arts instructor, he teaches kids and adults the necessary tools to defend themselves. When Samantha Hathaway arrives in hopes that he will teach her son Terry, she instantly takes a liking to him and he makes an exception to break his rule of dating parents of students. The two hit it off much to the chagrin of Samantha’s ex-husband, Victor. 

However, despite Victor’s threats resulting in Alex getting the best of anyone in his way, things are about to get worse. When two students, Jenny and Lainey, have disappeared, Alex learns that they may be at risk of being trafficked. When Alex searches for them and has successfully found them, he discovers that the ones responsible will do nothing to get them back. Alex’s school becomes a battleground as he will fight to preserve the safety of his students and those in need.

Since his small yet impactful debut in the 2001 made-for-TV film Invincible, Bren Foster had become a local name that some may have known about, but didn’t expect him to eventually become a force to reckon with. Between an appearance on the TV series Fight Science and his co-starring role opposite Steven Seagal in Force of Execution, it was just a matter of time before Foster will find the film that will make him a household name and this looks to be that very film.

Foster not only has the amazing martial arts skills highlighted in the film, but he’s got a charm and charisma that makes him a likable fellow in the eyes of his students and especially the character of Samantha, played by Cassie Howarth, who resembles Maggie Grace of Taken fame. The two instantly hit it off and show some pretty good chemistry. When we see Foster teaching, he clearly cares about his students, whether it’s training in Taekwondo or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is only when we see him get confronted that we see the angry side of his character and he will take on anyone who gets in his way.

Luke Ford, known to fans as the adult Freddie O’Connor in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, plays Samantha’s jealous ex Victor, who just seem to let go as he seems to have this iron grip on her when it comes to her mental state. However, she slowly attempts to break from his grip with the help of Alex. However, when her son is threatened, which adds to the core plot, Ford shows no remorse and has an agenda for our hero.

The film meshes the drama and the action well, with beats of action in the first half, then going into a slow burn of drama which all leads up to an action-packed finale highlighting Foster and the stunt performers of the film. Foster is one of the best kickers on screen today and shows some amazing footwork along with some great grappling skills and some nice weapons work. Action fans will truly get their kicks, literally when it comes to Foster and the fact he is using his skills for a very good cause that’s not so much revenge, but for a greater good, just shows he is the action hero we need today.

Life After Fighting is definitely one of the best action films of the year. Not only does it have a nice mix of emotional drama and exhilarating action, but Bren Foster is the action hero we all need today, a hero who uses his skills for a greater purpose.