Kickboxer (1989) on Netflix
American kickboxing champion Eric Sloane goes to Bangkok to face Thailand's unbeaten Tong Po, with his brother Kurt in his corner. When the fight leaves Eric paralyzed, Kurt vows revenge.
- Netflix3.5/5
- IMDb6.4/1067,307 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes36%
Trailer
Plot summary
Kurt Sloane is the cornerman for his older brother Eric, the heavyweight kickboxing world champion. After another title defense, Eric is drawn to Thailand, where the sport began, to build his legacy against Tong Po, the Thai champion. Kurt watches Tong Po kick a concrete pillar before the bout and begs Eric to pull out, but Eric dismisses the worry. In the ring Eric takes a beating; when Kurt throws in the towel, Tong Po kicks it out and drives an elbow into Eric's back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The officials abandon the brothers on the street until Winston Taylor, a retired American soldier, drives them to a hospital. Kurt vows to avenge him and hunts for a Muay Thai teacher, but the local gyms mock him.
Cast
- Tony Chanas Huge Village Man #2
- Brad Kerneras U.S. Announcer
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Kickboxer (1989)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Kickboxer, with Jean-Claude Van Damme as Kurt Sloane fighting the champion Tong Po, is regarded as the first movie to bring Muay Thai, Thai kickboxing, to a global audience.
- Moroccan actor Michel Qissi wore extensive facial makeup to become the Thai champion Tong Po; he said in an interview that those who had seen him fight before could only recognize him by his style of movement.
- The look of Tong Po, played by Michel Qissi, outlived the film: the role provided the visual inspiration for the Mortal Kombat character Goro.
