The Cage (2024) Season 1 Review – French drama packs a punch with some nice surprises

Episode Guide

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5

Netflix’s latest sport drama, The Cage, is a gritty, nicely paced series with a simple but effective premise to keep it ticking over. Although some of the family drama outside the octagon is a bit melodramatic, and the acting spotty in places, there’s enough in this to make for an enthralling watch all the same.

After a brief little prologue, which shows our protagonist Taylor about to start a big fight, we cut back 8 months and see what’s led to this pivotal moment in his career. Taylor is an amateur fighter. Sure, he’s won 3 on the bounce but Boss doesn’t have faith that he can step up and duke it out with the pros.

However, Taylor gets his opportunity midway through episode 1 when the series’ antagonist rears his head. This is Ibrahim, a thug that used to be part of this gym before being kicked out for indiscretions which are revealed in the finale. Before we get there though, Taylor and Ibrahim duke it out, and what ensues from here is a grudge match with a big prize on the line – a route into the UFC.

Taylor isn’t just fighting for himself though. His mum is in debt and struggling to pay back debt collectors, who rough her up at one point and put Taylor in a very difficult position. Several times he looks set to quit, or at least hang up his gloves after rustling up the funds to pay his mum, but each time, he’s given a little pep talk and an encouraging training session and he’s off again.

It’s a simple and perhaps overused trope in these type of shows, but where The Cage stands out is with its little key jangling for UFC fans. Given the show is about MMA, it makes sense to bring in some familiar faces from the sport. No, there’s no Conor McGregor swaggering here, but instead we get legends like GSP show up. I’m not going to reveal who else is in this, because that would be a disservice to some of the lovely reveals, but suffice to say it’s a nice touch that this French drama includes.

The bulk of what’s here though takes place inside the octagon. The fights are brutal and take place across the world, with a tournament in Poland, a particularly brutal bout in Sweden, and training sessions across at different gyms, including Mexico and, of course, France itself. Don’t go in expecting any Rocky-esque montages here but there are definitely parallels to the training regimens of both Taylor and Ibrahim that pay homage to that a little.

The camera work here is pretty good, especially for the fights. It reminds me a lot of the 2011 movie, Warrior, especially during the bouts where we get up close and personal with what’s happening. I it wouldn’t surprise me if those who made The Cage have done their homework and watched that aforementioned movie for some pointers. There’s a gritty, raw authenticity to this, although I do question the logic around a couple of the fights.

Don’t go in expecting complete accuracy to how UFC fights play out. Submissions go on far longer than you’d expect, with Taylor told at one point to hold on while in a choked submission hold rather than tapping out and saving himself from serious injury. Another time we see Taylor pummelled in the corner, looking down and out, only to suddenly spring back with one punch and be back to fighting prime without being winded or catching a breath.

These are nit-picks though but worth pointing out, especially as the show aims to capture that UFC crowd, given the fighters who show up and the brutality of the fighting.

Beyond that though, the show mainly centers on Taylor’s family and friends outside the octagon. There’s a romantic angle including fighter Elena which you’ll see coming a mile off, while Taylor’s friend Bilal is the obvious comedy relief/main motivator.

Niko is a bit of a dark horse in this and you’re never quite sure where his allegiances lie. This is actually quite a good inclusion, running a slight air of unease through the 5 episodes until the ending, where he shows his cards. I’m not spoiling anything don’t worry, but the conclusion definitely lends itself to a potential follow-up.

Overall, The Cage is a decent sport drama. It’s not going to move the needle and become the next Rocky or big hitter, but it is a solid fighter and great entertainment across its 5 episodes.

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