Never Back Down
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
What critics thought
Critics largely dismissed Never Back Down as a shameless collection of fight-movie clichés borrowed from The Karate Kid and Fight Club without any of what made those films work, landing it among the year's more poorly received genre entries. Audience goodwill runs noticeably warmer than the critical verdict, and the film has developed a genuine following among MMA fans who credit it as a personal inspiration.
“dopey. And with its emphasis on stupid violence, xylophone abs, and getting yourself on YouTube, it's yet another product that makes you feel bad about today's youth culture”
Gregory Kirschling·Entertainment Weekly
“I laughed so much at the litany of clichés that I finally had to admit I was entertained from start to finish by this cheesy knock-off”
Richard Roeper·RichardRoeper.com
Genres
Action, Drama, Sport
Cast & Crew
Jeff WadlowDirector
Sean FarisJake Tyler
Amber HeardBaja Miller
Cam GigandetRyan McCarthy
Djimon HounsouJean Roqua
Evan PetersMax Cooperman
Leslie HopeMargot Tyler
Wyatt SmithCharlie Tyler
Neil Brown Jr.Aaron
Lauren LeechJenny
Tilky JonesEric
Tom NowickiMr. LloydNever Back Down
Jake, full of anger after his father's death, is just starting to find a place for himself at his new Orlando high school - until Ryan, head of an underground MMA fight club, picks Jake out as a prime opponent. After being trounced by Ryan in front of the entire school, Jake begins training under the firm, moral guidance of a MMA master, where he learns how to fight... and how to avoid a fight. But it becomes obvious that a rematch will be inevitable if Jake wants to stop Ryan and his bullying, once and for all.
What critics thought
Critics largely dismissed Never Back Down as a shameless collection of fight-movie clichés borrowed from The Karate Kid and Fight Club without any of what made those films work, landing it among the year's more poorly received genre entries. Audience goodwill runs noticeably warmer than the critical verdict, and the film has developed a genuine following among MMA fans who credit it as a personal inspiration.
“dopey. And with its emphasis on stupid violence, xylophone abs, and getting yourself on YouTube, it's yet another product that makes you feel bad about today's youth culture”
Gregory Kirschling·Entertainment Weekly
“I laughed so much at the litany of clichés that I finally had to admit I was entertained from start to finish by this cheesy knock-off”
Richard Roeper·RichardRoeper.com
Genres
Action, Drama, Sport
Cast & Crew
Jeff WadlowDirectorSean FarisJake TylerAmber HeardBaja MillerCam GigandetRyan McCarthyDjimon HounsouJean RoquaEvan PetersMax CoopermanLeslie HopeMargot TylerWyatt SmithCharlie TylerNeil Brown Jr.AaronLauren LeechJennyTilky JonesEricTom NowickiMr. Lloyd