Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Jul 30, 2021 3/5

Embattled may be smarter than it looks, but it's still further evidence of the decline of human civilisation.

Go to Full Review

Niall Browne Movies in Focus Jul 5, 2021 4/5

Director Nick Sarkisov's Embattled is a punchy sports drama that delivers blow after blow. Stephen Dorff is fantastic as the MMA fighter who enters the ring to take on his 18 year-old son.

Go to Full Review

Leslie Felperin Guardian Jun 29, 2021 3/5

Part classic montage-showdown sports movie, part southern gothic Oedipal family drama, this decidedly peculiar but oddly compelling film is the proverbial curate's egg.

Go to Full Review

Leo Brady AMovieGuy.com Jan 29, 2021 3/4

Embattled scores plenty of points and lands the perfect amount of emotional punches that you may not see coming.

Go to Full Review

Carla Hay Culture Mix Dec 18, 2020

Embattled has enough gritty realism about a dysfunctional and damaged family to make up for the occasional hokey dialogue and the far-fetched but not entirely impossible scenario of a famous MMA champ doing a high-profile fight against his son.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Dec 1, 2020 C+

I would never think of watching an MMA fight, nor would I ever want to see this ugly family drama again, nor would I care to ink up my body as the film's star does.

Go to Full Review

Monique Jones Common Sense Media Nov 30, 2020 4/5

MMA drama has lots of heart, fighting, and swearing.

Go to Full Review

Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Nov 26, 2020 3.5/4

Sarkisov and screenwriter David McKenna ("American History X) give us fully drawn, realistic male characters slugging it out in a battle of male toxicity.

Go to Full Review

Travis Hopson Punch Drunk Critics Nov 21, 2020 3.5/5

Ducking and weaving away from our presumptions, Embattled embraces the idea that violent men will use the only means they know to break a barbaric cycle.

Go to Full Review

Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com Nov 20, 2020 2/4

The father-son drama in Embattled might win some rounds, but the abundance of clichés leads to a loss overall.

Go to Full Review

Lorry Kikta Film Threat Nov 20, 2020 9/10

Overall, Embattled does have some sports movie tropes-montages, anyone? But, the emotional heft of the film makes it one of the best sports movies I've seen and enjoyed.

Go to Full Review

Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter Nov 20, 2020

Much like Dorff's overbearing Cash, the film is easier to take when it's not in your face.

Go to Full Review

Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies Nov 20, 2020 3.5/4

This fight is entirely about emotional catharsis, both for the characters and for us.

Go to Full Review

Adam Graham Detroit News Nov 20, 2020 B

An MMA drama with heart, conviction and a killer right hand jab, "Embattled" is a different kind of fighter story, one where the consequences of the fight are more important than the win-loss records of its fighters.

Go to Full Review

Michael Ordoña Los Angeles Times Nov 19, 2020

In "Embattled," the human side feels explored, as if the film could have been made without the MMA scenes and still been a worthwhile watch. But it does have those adrenaline-injecting fights, so ... all the better.

Go to Full Review

Aaron Neuwirth We Live Entertainment Nov 19, 2020 8/10

Here's a sports drama that caught me off guard and managed to land some punches by the end.

Go to Full Review

Tom Santilli Movie Show Plus Nov 19, 2020 D

The problems start with the script, but they expand to cover the choppy, ineffective MMA fight sequences and the either overcooked or under-served characters at its center.

Go to Full Review

Jared Mobarak The Film Stage Nov 19, 2020 B-

[The climactic fight is] where the fireworks are, but the true worth to Embattled is the path Jett takes to get there and the reasons for why he does.

Go to Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg New York Times Nov 19, 2020

A testosterone substitute in drama form, "Embattled" practically peacocks onto the screen.

Go to Full Review

Guy Lodge Variety Nov 18, 2020

It's gripping in the moment, and gives you a clear rooting interest, thanks in no small part to Mann.

Go to Full Review