RIP: Chuck Norris, Iconic Martial Artist, Actor, And Legendary Tough Guy, Dead At 86

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March 20, 2026

Incredibly sad news this morning as Chuck Norris, martial artist, action movie icon, and legendary tough guy who became an internet meme, has died at the age of 86. He passed away yesterday after a short hospitalization.

For many of us, the thought of Chuck Norris passing away is unfathomable, as he’s always been known as the most indestructible of men. The Walker, Texas Ranger star served in the United States Air Force, and was a black belt in multiple disciplines: Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo. Later, he would found his own studio and a new discipline, Chun Kuk Do. Famous celebrities Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donnie and Marie Osmond, and Steve McQueen were counted among his many students.

Norris’ acting career took off in 1968 with a minor role in The Wrecking Crew opposite Dean Martin. He would soon befriend another legendary martial artist, Bruce Lee, leading to a villainous turn in 1972’s Return of the Dragon that led to a titanic, unforgettable showdown.

From there, Norris’ acting career took off with roles in Breaker! Breaker!, The Delta Force, Lone Wolf McQuade, Sidekicks, and the Missing in Action franchise. In 1993, Norris rebuilt his career with the starring role in the long-running Walker, Texas Ranger, lasting nine seasons and eventually earning him the title of Honorary Texas Ranger. His last major big screen role was in 2012’s The Expendables 2, once again banking on his storied career as a badass.

For some, Norris’ fame is rooted in his becoming a famous Internet meme, soon after his hilarious cameo in the 2004 comedy, Dodgeball. In 2005, “Chuck Norris Facts” was born, putting a hyperbolic spin on his tough guy image. “Chuck Norris actually died 20 years ago, but Death hasn’t built up the courage to tell him yet”, is an example of the viral statements that will likely survive Norris’ passing.

We here at Punch Drunk Critics send our condolences to the friends and family of Chuck Norris for their loss.

Review: ‘Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come’
Samara Weaving And Kathryn Newton Endure Another Deadly Game In A Bloody Blast Of A Sequel

By
Travis Hopson
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If you’re curious why Samara Weaving is such a beloved darling of genre fans, look no further than 2019’s Ready or Not. An instant classic, the film was not only a breakout for her, but for directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (aka Radio Silence), who would go on to bigger things as directors of two Scream movies and the vampire flick, Abigail. Now the gang is all back together for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, another bloody, action-packed blast and a devil of a good time that expands the franchise significantly.

Weaving is back as Grace, having survived a lethal game of “Hide and Seek” with her new husband and his family. They’re all dead now, and Grace wakes up in a hospital, handcuffed to the bed and accused of their murders. But before she can be shipped off to jail, she’s kidnapped and forced into an even larger game. This time, Grace will be facing four wealthy, power-mad families in another game of Hide and Seek. The winner will claim leadership of their Devil-worshipping organization, and thus control of the entire world.

Only this time, Grace isn’t alone. In order to ensure her compliance, Grace’s estranged sister, Faith, played by the ever-feisty Kathryn Newton (an Abigail alum), is forced into the game, as well. This dynamic changes the tone of Ready or Not 2 considerably, in a positive way. Grace is still a badass, but she’s tired, injured, and emotionally unstable after what she’s been through. That puts a lot of the onus on Faith, who proves to be just as resilient and stubborn as her sister, which is part of the reason they have some major sibling issues to sort out…assuming they survive.

Ready or Not 2 doesn’t go quite as far with the action as its predecessor, leaning a bit more into comedy as one might expect by pairing Weaving and Newton together. But that’s not to say the film is light on gore. There are buckets of blood and some truly grisly deaths, including a lot spontaneous combustion that repeatedly plasters the women in guts, entrails, you name it. Set on a massive estate, there are some clever chases and fights set on a sprawling golf course, and another inside of a casino. Radio Silence make the most out of the palatial setting, with its massive halls trapping the targets like in a maze.

In pursuit are a colorful bunch of entitled satanic freaks, and sometimes it’s tough to tell whether we should take them seriously or not. The tone of Ready or Not 2 is unpredictable, to say the least. You have some enemies who are clearly meant for laughs and to die in hilariously awful ways. But then you have The Pitt actor Shawn Hatosy as the sadistic Titus Danforth, whose glee at dishing out violence against women is truly twisted. It’s also a shame that Sarah Michelle Gellar, who plays Titus’ more level-headed sister Ursula, spent the entire press tour getting asked questions about the shelved Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot. She doesn’t get to kick ass that much in the movie, which seems like a waste. Also, there’s a really cool cameo by director David Cronenberg that horror fans will appreciate, while Elijah Wood is a scene-stealer as the demonic attorney calmly overseeing the madness.

Overall, Ready or Not 2 comes close to matching the energy and freshness of the original, without pushing the envelope quite as far. Weaving and Newton are a great team, and I’d be down for watching them cut through more spoiled nepo-babies in a sequel.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is open in theaters now.

Review: ‘Tow’
Rose Byrne Takes On The System To Get Her Car Back In Uplifting, Feel-Good Underdog Story

By
Travis Hopson
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The system is trying to keep down Amanda Ogle, but she refuses to be run over by it. In Tow, recent Oscar-nominated actress Rose Byrne tackles the role of Amanda, whose real-life, year-long legal battle to reclaim what was taken from her by an indifferent, corrupt towing company became an inspiration to others existing on the margins. It’s a film that tackles a number of resonant themes: injustice, homelessness, addiction, and human resilience. While not as complex as Byrne’s acclaimed performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, this heartfelt underdog story is further proof that she’s not just funny and a Hell of a dramatic actress, but that she can be someone we root for to stick it to the man.

Byrne, sporting a tower of bleach-blonde hair, oversized sunglasses, and little baked bean teeth, captures the prideful defiance within Amanda Ogle, a homeless Seattle woman living out of her ancient Toyota Camry. A recovering drug addict and alcoholic, Amanda’s only wish is to be reconnected with her teen daughter, Avery, played by Eighth Grade star Elsie Fisher. But it’s hard for a woman with no fixed residence and no college degree. She’s rejected by one low-paying job after another before convincing a pet spa to give her a chance. There’s just one problem. In order to work, she needs a car, and after an altercation with a parking enforcement, her vehicle has been towed. Discovering its location, Amanda learns she has to pay far more than she can afford to get it back. So, she instead decides to sue the towing company, with the help of a young, crusading attorney played by The Holdovers‘ star Dominic Sessa.

If that were the extent of Amanda’s crisis, it would be enough to fill a whole feature film. However, Amanda also has to deal with her homelessness situation and attempts at recovery. Without a car, she’s left to try and find beds at the crowded homeless shelters. However, she lucks out when she ends up at a church-run facility managed by a stern caretaker played by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, doing what she does best and delivering tough love with a smile. Tow puts a lot on its own plate, and attempts to capture the plight of other struggling mothers who keep these shelters full. Another Oscar winner, Ariana DeBose, plays another mom struggling with addiction; Demi Lovato is a pregnant woman with the gift of song, while Orange is the New Black‘s Lea DeLaria continues to play characters with a massive chip on their shoulders. Nobody can complain about the stellar ensemble, which also includes Red Rocket stars Simon Rex and Bree Elrod, along with veteran actor Corbin Bernsen. While these characters and their various problems help give context to Amanda’s own struggles, none are more than archetypes and that’s a waste of so much talent.

You can’t say the same thing about Byrne, though. Amanda is a fun character to cheer on. She’s brassy and takes no crap when she feels others are looking down on her. But she’s also got too much dignity to admit, both to herself and to Avery, that she’s homeless and in need of help. One of the most enjoyable aspects is seeing how Amanda’s fight transforms her, not into a better person but into a more confident one. Tow is a feel-good story first and foremost, which means it doesn’t go as deep as it could, but Byrne’s performance will leave you happy to have been in the passenger seat to witness it.

Tow opens in theaters on March 20th from Roadside Attractions and Vertical.

Kirsten Dunst Joins ‘Minecraft’ Sequel As Alex

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Travis Hopson

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March 19, 2026

Okay, sure, Kirsten Dunst has a trio of Spider-Man movies under her belt, but for the most part, her career hasn’t been defined by blockbuster franchises. Well, that’s about to change, at least for now. After letting it be known how much her kids loved A Minecraft Movie, and how she wants to be in the next one, Dunst is getting her wish. Deadline reports Dunst has joined the cast of Minecraft 2, which will hit theaters on July 23rd 2027.

Dunst will take on the role of Alex, one of the primary avatars available to players of the record-breaking Minecraft video game. She joins a returning cast of Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Matt Berry, and Jennifer Coolidge.

Jared Hess returns to direct from a script co-written with Chris Galletta. Plot details remain under wraps, but the gist of Minecraft was four misfits getting stuck in the blocky kingdom of Overworld, and having to survive various threats to get home.

Dunst also said that she wanted to finally be part of a movie that made money. Well, Minecraft is a sure bet to do just that. The first movie, released last year, opened with a gigantic $163M weekend, finishing its run with $963M globally.

It’s been a really strong few years for Dunst, who is coming off some of her best performances in Civil War, Roofman, and The Power of the Dog. She’ll be seen next in Ruben Östlund’s The Entertainment System is Down, alongside Keanu Reeves.

‘The Cackling Of The Dodos’: Jason Bateman To Direct Sam Rockwell And Woody Harrelson In Netflix Crime Film

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Travis Hopson

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March 19, 2026

Netflix is staying in the Jason Bateman business. Bateman, familiar with the streamer from Ozark and Black Rabbit, will direct The Cackling of the Dodos, a new comedy that will star Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.

The news was announced yesterday (via Deadline) at a Netflix press event. Based on an original story by author Rye Curtis, The Cackling of the Dodos “follows George, small-town farmer who has a truly terrible day when he discovers a corpse chilling out in a grain bin and he is unwittingly forced into a chaotic, sloppy cover-up by his boss, Denny.”

The film is a reunion of Rockwell and Harrelson. Rockwell won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, while Harrelson was nominated in the same category for the same film.

This will be the third feature directed by Bateman, who kicked off this part of his career with 2013’s hilarious Bad Words. That was followed a couple of years later by The Family Fang.

‘Sonic The Hedgehog’ 4′ Teaser Confirms Jim Carrey’s Return, Ben Kingsley & Nick Offerman Join The Cast

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Travis Hopson

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March 19, 2026

Let’s be real: Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik has been the best thing about Paramount‘s Sonic the Hedgehog movies. And I say that knowing that it’s pretty much the only acting he does nowadays, and that all three films featuring SEGA’s iconic video game mascot have been pretty damn good. Well, Carrey is confirmed to return in the new teaser for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which will race into theaters on March 19th 2027.

Carrey won’t be alone, either. New additions to the franchise include Ben Kingsley and Nick Offerman in undisclosed voice roles. Kristen Bell was previously confirmed to voice Amy Rose, the popular character introduced at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 along with Metal Sonic. The new footage shows Amy Rose’s hammer cracking open a portal that reveals other characters in the series.

Some of those characters spotted include Sonic, naturally, voiced once again by Ben Schwartz. We also see Knuckles (Idris Elba), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessy), and Shadow (Keanu Reeves). Sonic’s human family, played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, is also seen. Lee Majdoub will return as Robotnik’s sycophantic sidekick, Agent Stone. Matt Berry and Richard Ayoade have roles that are still unknown.

Jeff Fowler is back to direct, as he has done since the franchise launched in 2020, earning more than $1.2B worldwide across three films.

So what’s the plot of Sonic 4? Based on Robotnik’s menacing narration, he’s got something dastardly planned: “You think your world is safe, but your time is about to run out, the chaos has only just begun.”

First Look At Leonardo DiCaprio And Jennifer Lawrence In Martin Scorsese’s ‘What Happens At Night’

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Travis Hopson

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March 19, 2026

The first look at Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese’s What Happens at Night has arrived. The snowy image captures the two Oscar winners in the ghost story adapted by Patrick Marber from Peter Cameron’s novel.

Lawrence and DiCaprio play an American couple who arrive in a small European town in hopes of adopting a baby. However, their efforts are frustrated in this bleak, disorienting place where nothing is as it seems, and they soon begin to question everything about themselves and their relationship.

Also in the cast are Mads Mikkelsen, Patricia Clarkson, and Jared Harris. Production is still underway in Prague.

This is Lawrence’s first movie with Scorsese. However, she was originally meant to star with DiCaprio in Scorsese’s Frank Sinatra biopic. They eventually starred together in Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up for Netflix in 2021.

Apple has yet to set a release date for What Happens at Night, but with this kind of powerhouse talent involved, expect it to get a prime spot next year.

‘Balls Up’ Trailer: Mark Wahlberg And Paul Walter Hauser Cause Global Chaos In Peter Farrelly’s Buddy Comedy

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Travis Hopson

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March 19, 2026

BALLS UP is streaming now on Prime Video

After going solo and winning the Best Picture Academy Award for Green Book, Peter Farrelly has slowly reverted to broad comedic form. Farrelly’s next film, Balls Up, is the latest in Prime Video’s growing catalog of buddy comedies, starring Mark Wahlberg and Paul Water Hauser as rival sports marketing execs stuck in Brazil after causing a global incident with their plan for a full-coverage condom sponsored by the World Cup.

In case that premise didn’t clue you in, Balls Up is goofy AF, and in the same vein as Peter’s recent comedy, Ricky Stanicky, also with Amazon. The script is by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the duo behind the Zombieland and Deadpool movies. These guys are pros at the chaotic style of humor, and we know Wahlberg and Hauser can match that energy.

Also in the cast are Benjamin Bratt, Eva De Dominici, Daniela Melchior, Molly Shannon, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Eric André.

SYNOPSIS: In this raunchy, over-the-top comedy, marketing executives Brad (Mark Wahlberg) and Elijah (Paul Walter Hauser) go “balls out” and pitch a bold full‑coverage condom sponsorship with the World Cup. After their drunken celebration in Brazil sparks a global scandal, they must outrun furious fans, criminals, and power-hungry officials to salvage their careers and make it home alive.

Balls Up hits Prime Video on April 15th.

Review: ‘The Optimist’
Stephen Lang Shines As Real-Life Holocaust Survivor Herbert Heller In A Compelling Tale Of Overcoming Trauma

By
Khalil Johnson
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The Optimist begins as a tale of an elderly man having a routine doctor’s visit where he receives some unfortunate news from his physician. His doctor advises him that he should “get your affairs in order.” While leaving the hospital someone unphased by the unpleasant news, he sees a young woman also enduring her own medical crisis and the two share a brief glare. Little do they know that their lives will be forever entwined and changed for the better as they both encounter each other again and through their friendships learn to heal together.

Herbert Heller (Stephen Lang) is the owner of a children’s toy store in San Rafael, California and although he received the poor news about his health, he’s continuing his life. He doesn’t share the bad news with his wife and family, and continues to operate as usual. One day when he’s running an event at his store, he speaks with a local police officer (who is eerily dressed like an SS officer) and is immediately triggered and has a panic attack. It turns out that Herbert has been harboring a secret of being a Holocaust survivor, even from his own family. He realizes that with the little time he has left, he needs to come to terms with the last 60 years of his life and share his story with someone.

Herbert arranges to speak with a local counselor Ruth (Robin Weigert) to share his story via a video interview. Ruth enlists her “intern” Abby (Elsie Fisher) to assist in the interview process. Ruth knows how sensitive speaking about dealing with a Holocaust survivor is and allows Abby to take the lead under the guise of a friendly conversation. Herbert seems to remember Abby from the hospital and the two begin their conversation by talking about their shared “scars,” his on his arm from where his Auschwitz-Birkenau tattoo and hers from when she had surgery on her neck for reasons that will be revealed later on in The Optimist. While Abby is interested in his story of his time at the death camp, he is also interested in her story and the two begin to share their own personal stories of trauma and plenty of unresolved issues related to it.

While Abby’s story is incredibly tragic (a child who was pushed very hard at a young age to get into Julliard and also a child o divorced parents who have failed her), a bulk of The Optimist focuses on Herbert and his experience growing up in Prague and then having to deal with the Nazis during World War II. The Optimist doesn’t sugar coat the experience of dealing with The Holocaust through the eyes of a child who at first didn’t understand why such hatred was being directed at his and his family due to their faith, to then dealing with the traumatic experience of being stationed at the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp and all the horrors that many Jewish people had to endure there. A bulk of the film puts the audience right with young Herbert (Luke David Blumm in flashbacks) as he is ripped apart from his family with the last one he sees is his ever optimistic father (Slavko Sobin) who often would tell him the soft lie that “everything will be all right” even though he knew in his heart that it would not be (hence the title of the film). It’s quite surprising that The Optimist has a PG-13 rating as many of the scenes showing what happens at the death camp are brutal. While Herbert shares his story with Abby, Abby also starts to let her guard down with Herbert as we get to see how her life has taken a downturn. While she did not have the secret of being a Holocaust survivor for more than 60 years, The Optimist also gives her pain and tragedy ample time for you to understand her pain as well.

While everyone remembers Stephen Lang from being a stoic muscular man who is way to jacked for his age from the Avatar and Don’t Breathe movies, The Optimist somehow transforms his muscular man into a meek soft elderly man, and that’s largely in part due to Lang’s performance as the real life Herbert who up until his death in 2021 at 92 years old continued to share his story to help inspire everyone. Prior to appearing in big CGI-filled blockbusters, Lang was a huge stage actor, and The Optimist allows him to flex his dramatic muscles. He’s meek, he’s reserved and thoughtful and is dealing with extreme PTSD. In addition to Lang, Elsie Kate Fisher also delivers a stellar performance as a chronically troubled teen who is also been through the ringer with her life changes and the trauma she endures. The two have incredible chemistry together in all of their scenes in the film, towards the end while their relationship seems like he can be a surrogate father, it truly is a friendship of two people who finally let their guards down and dealt with isolationism, trauma, and survivor’s guilt.

One of the biggest themes from the film is that no matter what you are going through, the best way to confront your pain is to tackle it head on. And maybe you cannot share It with those closest to you, sometimes sharing your worst moments in life with a complete stranger who also has had a rough time can be a way to finally work through your trauma a grief and be able to finally heal.

The Optimist is now playing theaters.

The Optimist

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Samurai Fury Is The Latest Action Thriller You Don’t Want To Miss

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PunchDrunkCritics

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March 19, 2026

Samurai Fury, or as it’s known in other markets, Muromachi Outsiders, is an action epic that follows a man who leads an uprising during the Muromachi period. He gathers outlaws and leads riots against the people who are causing oppression, while dealing with famine, plagues, and starvation. Hasuda Hyoe, the main character in the movie, seeks to save Japan while fighting for his own survival.

Samurai Fury did Very Well At the Box Office

Samurai Fury did very well at the box office when it was released, grossing $2.35 million in total. It’s got a gritty and choreographed narrative, and intense battle scenes that really help audiences to connect with the movie. It’s not surprising to see how the movie did so well, either, especially when you consider the success of other TV shows like Shogun, which is set in the year 1600. This was a huge moment in Japanese history.

Outside of film and television, we are also seeing a notable surge in interest in Japanese culture. Sushi is seeing a huge spike in the UK right now. Japanese restaurant searches have also boomed by 524% over the years. Brands that include Itsu and Wasabi have also expanded, opening new locations as well as expanding their product range.

In fashion, we are also seeing an explosion of the Heisei aesthetic, which is becoming a real mainstream movement. Trends from 20 years ago are coming back once again, with a Japanese influence. In other verticals, like iGaming, the Japanese theme is also evident.

Some of the games that can be played at an online casino UK include Dragon Jackpot Roulette, which has an oriental theme. The game also has a Dragon Bonus, which acts as a multiplier. As dragons are a huge part of Japanese mythology, it’s not hard to see how widespread the cultural influence is. When you break down the evidence, it’s not hard to see why movies like Samurai Fury are becoming so popular, and interest in Japan as a whole is rising with each passing year.

Bloody Battles And Plenty of Drama

Ôizumi Yô, who is a rising Japanese actor, delivers a fantastic performance in the movie, and every time he steps onto the screen, his impact is felt. This is what helps to make his character, Hasuda, so powerful. As a Ronin who wanders the wasteland, he spends a year honing his skills before embarking on a journey to make things right for those who destroyed his land and people.

The movie spends the first half establishing the plot and the main characters, before moving on to the war towards the end. Even though the movie is said to be a slow burn, the savagery that follows is non-stop, and when the finale hits, it’s a spectacle that’s brutal yet choreographed in every way. The movie does a great job at setting the stage for what’s to come, but at the same time, it also strikes a fine balance between making sure that the characters are given their time to shine off the battlefield.