Throughout promotion Mortal Kombat has been forthcoming about its departures from the source material, even as efforts were made to sell it as a mostly faithful adaptation. A new lead protagonist made it difficult to hide fundamental change, but what is most shocking is just how far the film goes off the rails. At times, it seems its greatest influence may be the last big screen adaptation -- 1997's infamous Mortal Kombat: Annihilation -- with only costume design and sporadic game references to elevate it. This review will contain extensive spoilers:

Mortal Kombat has officially been released to most markets as of Friday and by the film's design -- sequel talk has inevitably begun. Director Simon McQuoid has discussed the subject in a new interview, addressing several key elements of the 2021 franchise reboot. Be warned: there are significant spoilers beyond this point!

By now you know Johnny Cage doesn't properly appear in the new Mortal Kombat movie, but the door is certainly opened to the fan-favourite fighter -- and WWE wrestler Mike "The Miz" Mizanin is petitioning to be the man who brings the Hollywood martial artist - turned defender of Earthrealm - to the big screen in a sequel.