Stylebender: Movie Review

Director: Zoe McIntosh

Dark Tourist director Zoe McIntosh's take on the fighting icon that is Israel Adesanya purports to be an intimate look at the UFC champion, but early on nearly wobbles in the ring before going on to be something that's more about the need for companionship and brotherhood.

With access to Adesanya over five years, in which time he rose to the title of UFC middleweight champion, McIntosh has a ringside seat into what makes the man tick - and emerges with an intriguing portrait of the psyche of a formerly bullied boy and an occasionally insecure champion in the making.

It's fascinating stuff, and while McIntosh falters badly in her treatment of Adesanya's 2021 rape comments by never challenging him on camera about it and allowing others to do so, there's an odd feeling that for this one moment alone, she's got too close to her subject.

But open access to his coach Eugene Bareman and comments from his parents lay out a complicated yet familiar relationship between mentors, friends and family. Clearly torn by being beaten by his parents when he was young, Adesanya bears the marks of trauma to full effect and long sequences show him undergoing therapy or talking about the effect on his life and trajectory.

Equally, the relationship with Bareman is one of both friendship, fraternal instincts and a pushy manager - but throughout the bond shines in McIntosh's examination of what makes brothers. Frank discussions are aired when needed and shine a light on a complex yet loving familial bond.

Central to all of this is Adesanya himself, unveiling layers you wouldn't expect of the almost arrogant MMA fighter in the ring. Full of puffed-up bravado and dance-led performance, his sensitive side comes more to the fore here as he reveals bullying from early days in Rotorua, his love of dancing and performance and his almost-petulant approach to fighting.

In all of this, McIntosh stitches together fight footage, weigh-in confrontations, scenes of Adesanya bigging himself up in a mirror with bon mots and assertions - it's a fascinating paradigm that's been placed on screen. And for those who know nothing about the Nigerian-born fighter beyond the headlines, it's an engrossing journey.

Crisply edited and sharply shot, McIntosh pulls together an energetic portrait of an enigmatic man, leaving a documentary that, while occasionally failing the odd insight, brings together a truly compelling and fascinating look into what makes a champion tick - their foibles, their failures and their highs.