WFG RATING: B

Breaking Glass Pictures presents a Universe Pictures Group/Mr Bravo Entertainment/Big Shave Productions film in association with Excelsis Movie, PurpleDOG, and Ronin Stunts. Directed by Jazz Bordeaux. Produced by Wayne Wells and Danny DeSantis. Written by Jazz Bordeaux and Greg Jackson. Cinematography and editing by Jason Romolo.

Stars Kaylee Rose, Kathryn Aboya, Richard Zeppieri, Stephanie Jones, Alex Cruz, Leslie Takeda, Michael A. Miranda, Jaclyn Vogl, Gino Bravo, and Wayne Wells.

A women’s MMA company goes on the brink of collapse in this drama meshing the sport and the politics behind it. 

EFC, a women’s mixed martial arts promotion that at one point, had a star in Cassady Jones. However, when she lost the title to rising star Alexa Star, a massive brawl between the two has led to Star being forced to vacate the title. To make matters worse, the promotion’s founder and CEO Donna Carter is under pressure to keep the promotion afloat despite certain shareholders wanting to see her fall. A tournament is being held to determine the new champion and both Cassady and Alexa have entered it.

Alexa advances but Cassady falls to her opponent in the first round and is eliminated. Despite her constant rivalry with Alexa, Cassady doesn’t give up. However, when Donna informs her of some shady business behind the scenes, she offers Cassady a role as an executive. At first, she refuses as she is a fighter. However, when Donna suddenly dies of a heart attack, Cassady realizes she has the opportunity to become a fighter but in a new way as she becomes determined to keep the promotion alive one way or another, even if it means she will need the help of the last person she ever expects. 

This is quite an interesting film as the marketing leads you to believe the film is about a rivalry between a former champion and current champion and the tournament that is set to bring these two face-to-face again. However, it is more than that and this is actually a good thing. Instead of relying on the same old gimmick used in this subgenre of film, the film delves into the politics behind what can possibly happen when a MMA promotion is doing well then takes a massive fall with a shot of redemption not only for the company. For two people, it becomes a shot at personal redemption. 

Karlee Rose churns in a sometimes over the top but emotional performance in the role of Cassady Jones, a former champion who finds herself at a major crossroads. The over the top portion is of importance because we see her archnemesis, Alexa, get inside her head and she sees her instead of who she is talking to at times. Cassady clearly wrestles with herself but soon realizes she may have the potential for something bigger that’s not in the ring. She was the heart of the promotion and now, she can end up becoming the owner after the death of her mentor. 

Kathryn Aboya also pulls a sometimes over the top but important performance as Cassady’s rival Alexa Star. She is conceited and arrogant as she was the current champion. However, due to her falling out with the former champ, finds herself losing the title and sponsorship deals due to having a sense of entitlement. And when her father even informs her of her bratty nature, it transpires to be a reality check for Alexa as much as it does for Cassady.

However, if there is an actual villain of the film, and there is one, it is Richard Zeppieri’s Frank. A major shareholder in the company, he doesn’t see the potential in women’s mixed martial arts. Yes, he’s one of “those” guys and does anything to sabotage not only the promotion, but the tournament as well. This is evident when two of the fighters test positive for anabolic steroids (including Cassady’s opponent), he attempts to cover it up. He also deems Donna as incompetent and leads the investors in hiring a male owner when Donna succumbs to a fatal heart attack. The third act changes gears and has a series of revelations. The film also reveals mid-credit scenes where we get a behind the scenes look at the film’s tournament fight scenes and its choreography, in an effort to show they mean business. 

EFC is more than a mixed martial arts drama about a rivalry, but a look at the behind the scenes politics involving sports promotions, all with powerful and emotional (even if over the top at times) performances from the two main leads. Overall, a pretty good film to check out for something different from the norm.