Hollywood's latest attempt to adapt Capcom's iconic fighting game series, Street Fighter, has opened to a polarized critical reception, with reviews ranging from scathing condemnations to surprising endorsements of its chaotic energy.
Directed by Kitao Sakurai and featuring a cast including Noah Centineo as Ken Masters, Andrew Koji as Ryu, and Callina Liang as Chun-Li, the film has garnered a 41 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have described the movie as an "incoherent, irredeemable mess" and "dumber than a box of rocks," with some citing issues with anachronistic nostalgia and a "thundering sound mix" that obscures dialogue. TheWrap criticized its lack of narrative and stylistic cohesion, pointing to instances of baffling 1990s nostalgia.
However, not all critics have dismissed the film. IndieWire applauded Street Fighter for actively avoiding boredom, describing it as a "blank emotional canvas whose value lies in what you make of it — but it sure looks cool as hell." Similarly, The New York Times suggested the film captures the imaginative excess of a dedicated arcade player, celebrating its "punchy pyrotechnics" and the way it constructs fight sequences to showcase diverse fighter personalities. The publication noted that while the film might flit between too many showdowns, it ultimately serves as a "natural zenith of an arcade player’s imagination."
Despite some praise for its visual flair and energy, other reviews highlight significant flaws. Polygon's critique focused on a perceived inconsistency in tone and performance, singling out David Dastmalchian's portrayal of M. Bison as a highlight while deeming the rest of the film "sloppy" and "incoherent." The Guardian suggested the film "punches down on itself," failing to rise above the campiness it attempts to satirize. IGN noted that while the film is "dumber than a box of rocks," its chaotic spirit and hard-hitting landed moments can still be "pretty fun."
Variety pointed to potential production issues, observing that the film's back half "goes terribly awry," with splintered dialogue and obscured speakers, hinting at possible rewrites in post-production. Slashfilm concluded that despite being "highly watchable," the film's "bitter aftertaste and hollow center" make it difficult to recommend, particularly as an introduction to the franchise.