Mortal Kombat II understands exactly what fans wanted more of after the 2021 film: brutal fights, outrageous fatalities, fan-favourite characters, and a stronger sense of the video game’s gleefully excessive identity. While Simon McQuoid’s first film may have been the more technically controlled entry, the sequel is easily the more entertaining one, operating with the confidence of a movie that knows its purpose is to let these characters loose and turn the volume all the way up.
The first Mortal Kombat was arguably at its best during its opening stretch, where Hanzo Hasashi’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) family tragedy delivered a visceral mix of emotion, mythology and action. McQuoid seems to have taken that response to heart, because Mortal Kombat II plays less like a traditional sequel and more like one extended, blood-soaked battle sequence. Character development is secondary to momentum, but that feels intentional. This is a film built around spectacle first, and it leans into the mentality of the games with an unapologetic commitment to carnage.
The story sees Earthrealm’s champions drawn into a deadly tournament against the forces of Outworld, with Johnny Cage (Karl Urban) finally entering the fray. Urban proves an inspired choice for the washed-up action star, bringing swagger, comic timing and a self-aware wink to a character who gets a second chance at becoming the hero he always pretended to be on screen. Urban dominates the film whenever he appears, finding the right balance between ridiculousness and sincerity.
The returning cast settle comfortably back into their roles. Tadanobu Asano continues to bring quiet authority to Lord Raiden, while Ludi Lin further flexes Liu Kang’s strength and discipline. The criticism surrounding Cole Young’s (Lewis Tan) characterisation in the first film is also addressed in a surprisingly amusing and shocking way, giving the sequel one of its more unexpected jolts.
Josh Lawson’s return as Kano is, unsurprisingly, a major highlight. His re-entry allows the film to indulge in his effortless ability to land a laugh with little more than a single word delivered in that charmingly aggressive Aussie tongue. He remains one of the franchise’s most valuable comic weapons.
The sequel also benefits from a heightened female presence. Jessica McNamee’s Sonya Blade feels stronger and more fully powered this time around, while Adeline Rudolph’s Kitana proves the film’s emotional centre. Tati Gabrielle brings fierce physicality to Jade, and Ana Thu Nguyen makes an impression as Sindel, even if the character feels slightly underused.
One of the film’s biggest surprises, however, is C.J. Bloomfield as Baraka. A grotesque, imposing figure who could have easily been a throwaway monster, Baraka becomes an unexpectedly comedic delight and an unlikely champion to Johnny Cage. It is exactly the kind of bizarre character beat that makes this sequel feel more comfortable embracing the stranger corners of Mortal Kombat lore.
With a larger roster comes a slightly scattered structure, and Mortal Kombat II does occasionally feel overstuffed. Some characters inevitably get more room than others, and anyone looking for deep emotional arcs across the board may be left wanting. But as a bloody, high-energy expansion of this universe, the film delivers where it matters most. The fights are bigger, the fatalities are gorier, and the tournament framework gives the action a satisfying sense of escalation.
The film is also tailor-made for IMAX. Its battle sequences are staged with a sense of scale and immersion that benefits from the largest screen possible, and the variety of arenas and realms gives the sequel a broader visual identity than its predecessor. From supernatural powers to hand-to-hand brutality, Mortal Kombat II fully commits to making every clash feel like a fan-service spectacle.
It may not be the more refined film of the two, but Mortal Kombat II is the one that better captures the chaotic fun of the games. It is loud, violent, messy, funny and frequently ridiculous – but crucially, it knows that. For fans, this is a blood-soaked step in the right direction.
Now let’s just hope we don’t have to wait another five years for the inevitable third round.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Mortal Kombat II is now screening in Australian theatres, before opening in the United States on May 8th, 2026.
