BEAST IN ME: ONE CHAMPIONSHIP TAKES CENTER STAGE IN HIGH-OCTANE ACTION FILM
‘Fighting is in the blood, but so is survival.’ That’s the brutal reality at the heart of Beast in Me, an electrifying new action film that pulls no punches in its depiction of mixed martial arts. Featuring a heavyweight cast and filmed in the visceral world of ONE Championship, this is an adrenaline rush that lands every hit with force.
Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) and Daniel MacPherson (Foundation, Land of Bad) lead the charge, joined by Luke Hemsworth (Westworld), Mojean Aria (Shayda), Kelly Gale (Plane), George Burgess (Spartacus), Bren Foster (The Last Ship), and rising star Saphira Moran (It Will Find You). Adding intrigue to the lineup is multi-award-winning musician Amy Shark, making her feature film debut.
At the film’s heart is Patton James (MacPherson), a man who walked away from his MMA dreams to build a stable life for his family. But when his brother Malon (Aria) suffers a life-altering injury and becomes indebted to a dangerous underworld, Patton is left with only one option—returning to the cage. Under the guidance of grizzled trainer Sammy, played by Crowe, he prepares for the ultimate showdown inside the world’s most intense fight arena: ONE Championship.
ONE Championship: The Ultimate Stage for Combat
Unlike anything audiences have seen before, Beast in Me brings fight fans the closest thing to a live ONE Championship event. Shot on location at a real ONE Championship fight night in Thailand, with a roaring crowd of over 10,000, the film ensures every punch, kick, and knockout feels raw and real.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is enthusiastic about the project, stating, “I am thrilled to be partnering with the exceptional cast and production team behind Beast in Me. ONE, the world’s largest martial arts organization, is the perfect platform to tell this gripping story of resilience, courage, and redemption.”
Producer John Schwarz agrees, adding, “The world we’ve created isn’t just inspired by MMA—it is MMA. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure this film resonates with fighters and fans alike, delivering the same pulse-pounding drama and intensity they expect from a real fight.”
A Story of Grit, Heart, and Redemption
Co-written by Russell Crowe and David Frigerio (Land of Bad, The Signal), and directed by Tyler Atkins (Bosch & Rockit), Beast in Me brings a gritty, emotionally charged narrative to the world of professional fighting. Currently filming in Sydney and Bangkok, the movie is backed by an experienced production team, including Deeper Water Films, Broken Open Pictures, and Armagh Films. International sales are being handled by The Solution Entertainment Group.
Co-writer and producer David Frigerio describes the film as “more than just an action spectacle—it’s a character-driven story that explores sacrifice, loyalty, and what it really takes to step back into the fight.”
With its pulse-racing fights, complex characters, and the sheer energy of ONE Championship as its backdrop, Beast in Me is shaping up to be an unmissable knockout on the big screen. Whether you’re a fight fan or just love a gripping redemption story, this one is sure to leave a lasting mark.
Stay tuned for more updates as Beast in Me prepares to enter the ring, with all details now unveiled at Berlinale 2025.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
