Mortal Kombat II – Film Review
Reviewed by Harris Dang on the 7th of May 2026
Universal presents a film by Simon McQuoid
Written by Jeremy Slater based on Mortal Kombat by Ed Boon and John Tobias
Produced by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh, Simon McQuoid
Starring Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada
Cinematography Stephen F. Windon
Edited by Stuart Levy
Rating: MA15+
Running Time: 115 minutes
Release Date: the 7th of May 2026
The term “video game film adaptation” often makes people shudder. But what is it with film adaptations based on video games? Why have so many have earned such a horrible reputation? Is there a code that needs to be cracked? A formula to get right? What exactly can we do to achieve a good film that honours its source material, while still being accessible to newcomers?
In the case of Mortal Kombat II, the returning filmmakers realised fan service is the key and decided to forgo the execution (pun intended) of the first film of trying to appeal to newcomers and devotees. Instead, they have decided to go straight into maximalist pandering. On that note, the film is merely a succession of fight scenes strung by a tournament plotline, enlivened with deceptions, alliances, shocking deaths, and returning fan favourites. The result is a fun, goofy time at the movies.
As with most videogame film adaptations, the characters from the game are not three-dimensional but iconographic. The entire film is complete iconography. The sets, costumes, and props are all replications from the games (the Pit and the Netherworld stages make a great entrance), with a huge credit going to production designer Yohei Taneda, casting director Rich Delia and costume designer Cappi Ireland. While most games have dense storylines and mythologies, some videogames like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat were simple in picking up a controller and mashing the hell out of the buttons. There is very little chance one can adapt all those stories and ideas in a feature-length runtime.
Therefore, it is up to the actors to bring the requisite presence, capable physicality, and inherent charisma to portray these icons on screen. The returning cast are more confident this time around, as they take on the stunt-work with more experience, adapt to the tone with infectious glee, and look the part with faithful accuracy. Extra points for the return of Kano (played by Josh Lawson), who is brought back with the most hilariously throwaway reason. With the new actors, they all fill their roles adequately. The standouts are Adeline Rudolph and Karl Urban.
Being the one good performer in the recent Hellboy film, Rudolph rises to the challenge of playing Kitana as she grapples her inner turmoil in terms of allegiance while handling the fight scenes with ferocity. Urban nails the balance of playing screwball and hardball in the role of Johnny Cage. These two characters are newly introduced and are the only two with character arcs. While the arcs are familiar and predictable, they work within the film’s simple scope.
As for the fight scenes, they are far more elaborate in terms of escalation, choreography, and budget, thanks to the contributions from fight coordinator Malay Kim and stunt coordinator Jade Amantea. The real improvement comes from the editing. Replacing the first film’s editor with Stuart Levy, the cuts are more fluid in capturing the combat and the cutaways between fight scenes are well-timed enough that the escalation of tension remains in tempo as opposed to becoming deflated (which happened in the G.I. Joe action film Snake Eyes, also edited by Levy).
Overall, Mortal Kombat II is a marked improvement over the first film. The cast is more confident with their roles, the fight scenes are more impactful in terms of gore and choreography, and the filmmakers show more depth and appreciation in their understanding on why the games are so popular and longstanding after 30 years.
Summary: Mortal Kombat II is a marked improvement over the first film. The result is a fun, goofy time at the movies.
3.5
Fun
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