Set in 1993, Street Fighter brings estranged martial artists Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) together when Chun Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. What begins as a contest between powerful fighters soon becomes a dangerous battle involving revenge, personal conflicts and a conspiracy led by M. Bison (David Dastmalchian).
A revenge drama beneath the tournament
For viewers unfamiliar with the video game franchise, Street Fighter plays like a familiar action thriller in which different characters unite against a common enemy. The story keeps moving, but it struggles to offer anything particularly fresh. Fans of the games, however, will expect more than a standard revenge drama. The franchise is known for its distinctive fighters, signature moves and intense rivalries.
Nostalgia cannot carry the action
While recognisable characters provide moments of excitement, the fighting sequences do not always deliver the spectacular combat the premise promises. The film misses opportunities to make each fighter’s abilities stand out. Nostalgia keeps longtime fans interested, but familiarity alone cannot make every action sequence memorable.
Vidyut Jammwal brings an Indian edge
For Indian audiences, Vidyut Jammwal’s appearance as Dhalsim is a major point of interest. Known for his martial arts skills and physical agility, Jammwal fits naturally into a franchise built around specialised fighting techniques. Dhalsim’s yoga inspired abilities make the casting particularly fitting, giving Indian viewers an additional reason to watch.
Ultimately, Street Fighter may appeal to fans who have grown up with its characters and games. For everyone else, it is a reasonably familiar action drama that promises more distinctive combat than it consistently delivers. The nostalgia is present, but the overall experience depends largely on how strongly viewers connect with the franchise.
Movie: Street Fighter
Directed by: Kitao Sakurai
Screenplay by: T. J. Fixman, Kitao Sakurai
Based on: Street Fighter by Capcom
Featuring: Noah Centineo Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i, David Dastmalchian, Andrew Schulz, Eric André, Vidyut Jammwal, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Jason Momoa
Theatrical Release Date: October 16, 2026
Run Time: 1hr 59mins
