You’ve probably never seen blood lust like this before!
Opening with an over-the-top televised gladiator battle in which a prisoner fights against an armored soldier for his freedom (and loses), Arena Wars is, in fact, the best Mahal Empire release yet. It is charged with social commentary in which capitalism is put on notice, a robust production design, and a solid script which sees Robert LaSardo fighting for his freedom in a fight to the death when his prison sentence gets upgraded to Arena Wars material.
And it's all for ratings . . . which equals money for the big wigs: the true villains in this movie. Forget about the fights on the television, this is where the true horror lies!
And I love every single second of Arena Wars’ brutality.
Written and directed by Brandon Slagle, lensed by Michael Su, and featuring some stellar production designs from Joel Spencer, Arena Wars is an unapologetic genre spectacle. It is a movie which is made by fans of the horror/action genre for a like-minded hive. And it works exceptionally well, proving that Sonny and Michael Mahal are doing exactly what they need to be doing for B-movie fans and LOVING WHAT THEY DO!
Arena Wars is by far Mahal Empire’s best independent release, looking even better than some Hollywood productions thanks to its tasteful use of practical effects and its limited use of outrageous CGI.
Featuring wonderfully engaging performances from Michael Madsen, Robert Donavan, Eric Roberts, and John Wells as an ex-marine in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Arena Wars is all about the kill. Or should that be the costumed kill? Because with gladiators dressed like these - one looking like a mutated child’s doll, another like a Nazi-turned-zombie, and a third like a Slayer-worshiping mad scientist from Hell - the look is as threatening as the kill!
With everyone delivering an understood performance for the type of genre movie they are in, Arena Wars is a whole lot of bloody fun. It’s both demented and wildly left-of-center when it comes to traditional action/horror hybrids and, as it brings everything out into the arena (including chainsaws), full of a constant stream of brutalized gore.
Welcome to 2045! This dystopian film blows past the obvious Running Man comparisons thanks to its beautifully realized on-screen carnage and its intense mayhem, which never ceases to be gut-wrenching . . . and I’m just referring to the rich bastards behind the scenes, pulling whatever string they have to in order to get more viewers and much more money!
Choose your fighter. Just know that every move counts.
Arena Wars, released by Gravitas Ventures, is now available to purchase on streaming platforms everywhere. You do not want to miss this release!
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 96 mins
Director: Brandon Slagle
Writer: Brandon Slagle
Cast: Michael Madsen; Eric Roberts; Robert LaSardo
Genre: Comedy | Action | Sci-Fi
Tagline: It's All Fun and Games When Someone Gets Hurt
Memorable Movie Quote: "Doesn't sound much like rehabilitation now, does it?"
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Official Site:
Release Date: June 24, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: In 2045 convicted criminals are given the opportunity to compete on the world's #1 televised sporting event, Arena Wars. They must survive 7 rooms and 7 of the most vicious killers in the country. If they win, they regain their freedom.
