Showdown

Showdown

There is no other way.

1993100 min5.8 / 10

A straightforward 1990s action-drama about a new student learning martial arts to stand up to a bully, with parallel revenge tensions between two senseis.

Ken has just moved from Kansas with his mother. He talks to a girl named Julie, not knowing that her boyfriend Tom is very possessive of her. Tom is learning karate from Lee, a sensei whose brother was killed by a rookie cop named Billy. Billy has since then become the janitor of the school that Ken, Julie and Tom go to. When Ken gets beaten up by Tom for talking to Julie again, Billy helps Ken by teaching him how to defend himself, which eventually leads to a battle between student vs. student, and sensei vs. sensei.

Essence

Ensemble

Closest match

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same mood

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Something gentler

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Hidden gem

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.