(Credits: Netflix)

Nothing hits home like Netflix originals, and the one that is punching through chart-topping success is K.O. With Tyler Perry’s Straw leading Netflix’s top ten global pack of movies in the US, another streaming original, K.O., is steadily making its presence known. It is ranked number nine on the chart, despite being released just a week ago on June 6th, 2025. But that’s not it. Rave reviews have flooded the internet, making the French action movie a must-watch already.

Rome was not built overnight, nor was Netflix’s streaming reputation. It took blood, sweat, and of course, a few flying kicks to get there. Unlike many of its offerings, which left critics polarised, K.O. is packing punches like there’s no tomorrow. The action film follows MMA fighter and actor Cyril Gane’s character, Bastein, whose final MMA match culminates in the death of his opponent, Enzo. In the audience, among the sea of people were Enzo’s wife, Emma, and son, Léo, who witnessed the fatal blow first-hand.

After that fateful night, Bastein stepped back from his MMA career; he now works in a salt mine to make a living. However, following Enzo’s death at the hands of Bastein, young Léo hits rock bottom, descending into darkness. But when one fine day, he goes completely MIA after getting sucked into the drug trade world, Emma unwillingly seeks assistance from Bastein to track down her missing son. Bastein is determined to get back Léo, no matter what it takes. And he does so with the help of another intriguing character, Kenza.

Kenza is a police chief, and she has her own story. She lost her brother to Marseilles’ most notorious gang, and all she wants is justice for him. In recent months, Netflix has clearly and cleverly doubled down on its roster of action thrillers, each one better than the last. The first half follows the intense investigative procedures to let the audience in on the crux of the characters’ background. However, like any good action movie, it doesn’t wait for an interval to unleash fists.

Bastein’s guilt over what happened to Enzo years ago makes finding Léo his life’s mission. Besides his moral obligation to Emma, it is probably his only chance of redemption, to himself and Enzo’s family. As for Kenza? She is tied with Bastein’s mission to save Léo, but is moved by her desire for revenge and justice for her brother. The two characters might seem worlds apart, but K.O. shows, it is not so. The movie is born from an action seed, but the tree blooms with consideration and emotion.

K.O. has been praised for its stunning camerawork and edge-of-your-seat action sequences. Though the possibility of the film falling too much into a stereotypical genre made a few roll their side eyes, the Netflix film’s chart performance speaks for itself. Considering the French film’s popularity has landed it on global charts within a week of its release despite the lingua franca, it’s safe to say that this is just the start of its streaming momentum.

Furthering Netflix’s French vision with K.O. is the movie’s star appeal. K.O. is reportedly Gane’s first major acting role, though he has appeared in other titles like La Cage and Den of Thieves: Pantera. However, he is a celebrated Muay Thai boxer and martial artist. As for Alice Belaïdi, who portrays Kenza, she is one of the most prominent French artists of the past decade, having excelled in theatres, shows, and movies alike. The film is easily one of the best entries on Netflix this year, and the ones waiting in the wings should watch out because the list can only accommodate ten.