The world is an ever-changing place, and currently, social media is impacting people’s identity. Do we control who we are? Or does the world control us based on their responses to what is put out on the internet about us? Can an underdog use unintentional fame to become the man he wants to be? American Warrior is a story that provides one perspective on how to do so.
Jai (Vishy Ayyar) has stopped at a convenience store at the end of a long day, when the person at the counter loses it and tries to rob the store. Jai decides to step in and uses an MMA move to stop the would-be thief until the police show up. Of course, others grab their phones and begin filming only to post on social media. This brings attention to him and the gym in Chicago, where he works as a janitor. Marcella (Veronica Falcón), the owner, gives him a chance to get back in the cage, and he decides to take it. To assist with his training to get back into fighting shape, he reaches out to his former coach and mentor, Dennis (Danny Trejo). He is also working on reconnecting with his family and starting a new relationship with Melissa (Taylor Treadwell).
While at its core, this is a story we have heard before about identity, redemption, and second chances. These are such universal themes that it makes sense they are at the core of so many films. The differences are part of what made this film enjoyable. Using a moment in life that created social media buzz, the protagonist turned inward to decide who he wanted to be, and then he took the steps to become that person. There are also more intelligent, strong female characters than typically seen in a “sports” movie. Many of which were at the request of the “many women investors” for characters written as male to be female. The Director, Gustavo Martin, and others making the decisions listened to the request and filled the roles with appropriate age choices in casting. They then provided them with lines and back stories that I found realistic.
Ayyar wrote the story drawing on his own life as inspiration. He trained for 18 months twice a day with an MMA fighter and followed a strict diet and exercise plan. He gave blood, sweat, and (I am sure) tears to this project. With him leading the way, it would have been difficult to give anything less than everything from the rest of the cast, and it showed. I wasn’t seeing Trejo, or any of his prior roles, I was seeing Dennis on the screen. The same with Falcón, she was Marcella.
This film has been at film festivals all over the world, and there are reasons why it is receiving recognition and winning awards. Find the time to sit down and watch this one.
Director: Gustavo Martin
Cast: Danny Trejo, Veronica Falcón, Vishy Ayyar, Suleka Mathew
Selig Rating: 4 stars
Runtime: 1h 33m
Streaming Release: August 29, 2025
Genre(s): Action, Drama, Sport
Trailer: American Warrior trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.