2023 Movie
Dir. Chang · Japan, South Korea · Japanese
Satisfying fist-fighting action with a great heroine make up for a lackluster plot
As a story, Knuckle Girl settles for the simplest beats, at times strung together by odd, obligatory choices (for example, a training montage that comes out of nowhere, or the film’s abrupt ending). It’s not particularly sophisticated as far as thriller narratives go. But taken as a showcase for boxing-centered action, the film really sets itself apart from many countless action movies on streaming. The fist-fights here are brutal and kinetic, shot through lots of dynamic footage and crunchy sound design—making every punch that’s thrown feel desperate. And in the lead role, Ayaka Miyoshi makes for a convincing, everyman action star who always seems in over her head but perseveres all the same.
Following the story of Ran, who confronts a mysterious organization by participating in a no-rules deathmatch after discovering her missing younger sister Yuzuki is involved in a crime. With danger at every corner, Ran must trade in her boxing gloves for brass knuckles. Will she save her sister?
A female boxer investigates the reported death of her sister, leading her into the criminal underworld.
The fact that Ran is badly beaten to a pulp several times throughout Knuckle Girl makes all the difference. People tend to forget that some of the best action movies of all-time feature heroes who get hurt often and who practically crawl to the finish line through sheer strength of will. Ran follows in this tradition with her dignity intact; she remains incredibly capable and impressive as a fighter, but there's always a fear that she might sustain permanent injury during her fights. So even if Knuckle Girl might not be memorable as a story with distinct characters, Ran's face, coated in her own blood but still fighting tooth and nail, should be very difficult to forget.
Unironically, more action heroes need to spend majority of their movies getting their asses kicked!
Emil Hofileña is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. He also writes as a theater critic, with work published in Rogue and Out of Print, among others. He’s probably crying over a movie or an episode as we speak.
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