Mortal Kombat II (2026)

Mortal Kombat II is directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater, known for Fant4stic, which understandably does not inspire much confidence at first glance. Thankfully, the writing here is a major improvement, delivering a story that is more focused and far more entertaining than the first film. The sequel embraces the chaos and personality of the franchise more confidently, balancing action, humor, and fan service better than its predecessor. While the film still stumbles in places, it feels like a genuine step forward.

Karl Urban, known for The Boys and Dredd, easily carries the film as Johnny Cage. His storyline is the strongest in the movie, largely because Urban knows exactly how to play the role with the right mix of arrogance, humor, and charm. He gives the film energy whenever it slows down and feels completely comfortable in the over-the-top world.

Adeline Rudolph, known for Hellboy: The Crooked Man and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, plays Kitana, though her storyline alongside Jade ends up being the weakest part of the film. The material itself does not help much, but the performance lacks the presence needed to elevate it. Those sections feel noticeably flatter compared to the rest of the movie and disrupt the pacing whenever the film shifts back toward them. Tati Gabrielle has some of the worst acting I've seen in a while.

Josh Lawson, known for Anchorman 2 and House of Lies, returns as Kano and once again steals scenes with his comedic timing. Alongside Baraka, the film finds some of its funniest moments, helping balance out the heavier action-focused sections. Their presence gives the movie personality in a way the first film occasionally lacked.

Jessica McNamee, known for The Meg and Battle of the Sexes, brings more stoic weight to Sonya this time around. She grounds the character well and helps some of the more serious moments land without feeling melodramatic.

The fight choreography is noticeably improved thanks to the addition of coordinators Malay Kim and Michael Lehr. The action feels sharper, more fluid, and far more memorable than the first film’s combat. Unfortunately, the CGI can be distractingly rough at times, especially during larger effects-heavy moments, which keeps some scenes from fully landing.

Overall, Mortal Kombat II succeeds by understanding what audiences wanted more of from the first movie: better fights, stronger personalities, and a more entertaining story. Even with uneven performances and questionable CGI, it delivers a far more enjoyable experience overall. Mortal Kombat II may not be flawless, but it is absolutely an improvement. Result: B

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