Street Fighter arrives in theaters on October 16 with an adaptation that embraces chaos over narrative cohesion. Director Kitao Sakurai’s film centers on martial artists Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken (Noah Centineo), childhood friends and training partners under master Gouken (Don Lee) who have taken divergent paths. Ryu has faded into obscurity while developing mastery of “Hado power,” a mystical energy from the spirit realm channeled only by the greatest warriors, while Ken became a pop culture fixture haunted by questions about his former friend’s superiority.
The plot hinges on M. Bison (David Dastmalchian), leader of the Shadaloo crime organization, staging a tournament to harvest Hado power—which Bison calls Psycho Power—to unlock special abilities for himself. According to the review, the film makes a deliberate choice to prioritize broad franchise representation over deeper storytelling, sacrificing narrative justification for character inclusion.
The film’s character work is uneven. Centineo’s Ken receives more development, with his restlessness conveying an underdog energy that exceeds the script’s construction of the character. However, Ken’s motivations for entering the tournament remain unclear—whether to prove himself against Ryu, honor his master, or achieve something else is never firmly established. Koji’s Ryu fares better in performance, with his stoicism providing effective contrast to the film’s more cartoonishly emotive characters. The two leads excel when interacting with each other, particularly in an early hotel-room fight that synthesizes both their dynamic and the film’s best choreography.
The action sequences emphasize spectacle over restraint. Fights blend Hong Kong, anime, and ’80s/’90s influences, drawing comparisons to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’s video game-inspired aesthetic. However, Sakurai’s approach packs scenes with numerous individual gags that leave insufficient time to appreciate each one. While stunt work and performer execution prove strong, the film increasingly relies on VFX embellishments that add little visceral impact.
The supporting cast provides the film’s strongest element. Characters like Chun-Li (Callina Liang), Guile (Cody Rhodes), Vega (Orville Peck), Dhalsim (Vidyut Jammwal), and Cammy (Mel Jarnson) bring distinct personalities freed from plot obligations. Andrew Schulz’s Dan Hibiki and Eric Andre’s emcee Don Sauvage generate particular success through comedic performances. Cody Rhodes’ Guile entry, accompanied by his theme song, showcases strong charisma despite limited screentime. The film’s scope allows these characters to operate as “bizarre and funny” versions of themselves, becoming highlights despite narrative irrelevance.
Key facts
- Street Fighter releases October 16, 2026
- The film stars Andrew Koji as Ryu and Noah Centineo as Ken, martial artists and childhood friends
- The plot centers on a tournament organized by crime leader M. Bison (David Dastmalchian) to harvest mystical power from fighters
- Director Kitao Sakurai prioritizes character representation and action spectacle over coherent storytelling
- Supporting characters include Chun-Li, Guile, Vega, Dhalsim, and Cammy from the game roster