The series The Cageinitiated by Franck Gastambide, promised to be an ambitious project for combat sports enthusiasts, in particular those who follow MMA. But while I expected total immersion in this intense and fascinating world, this first season of five episodes left me wanting more. Between the underdeveloped characters, sloppy subplots, and a distinct lack of realism in certain aspects, The Cage seems to have remained stuck in her intentions without being able to fully realize them. However, some positive points bring a certain value to this series, but they struggle to make up for the whole. It cannot be denied that The Cage presents itself above all as a tribute to MMA. The commitment is palpable, whether in the fight scenes or through the physical transformation of Melvin Boomer, who plays Taylor.
Dreaming of turning pro, a young fighter struggles to get noticed when an unexpected fight offers him the chance of a lifetime, and a strong opponent in the cage. Dreaming of turning pro, a young fighter struggles to get noticed when a fight unexpected offers him the chance of his life, and a worthy opponent in the cage.
The actor underwent rigorous training to play the role, and we feel this sincerity in his physical performance. Indeed, he gained weight and trained intensively to make his character more believable. This approach anchored in reality gives a certain authenticity to the fights, a quality that I greatly appreciate, and which testifies to the rigor imposed by the world of MMA. Moreover, the appearances of UFC legends like Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones offer real moments of pleasure to fans. These guests bring legitimacy and a certain credibility to the series, as a wink for those who follow the competitions and respect the commitment of these fighters. This effort at faithful representation is undeniably a strong point of the series.
Unfortunately, this homage to MMA fails to make up for the narrative weaknesses and lack of character development. The series attempts to establish a plot around the rise of Taylor, a promising young fighter, but with only five episodes, The Cage is limited to scratching the surface of its story and characters. This brevity is a major handicap: instead of delving into the motivations, the past or the complexity of the characters, the series strings together events without giving them any real substance. One of the most disappointing aspects is the subplots, which feel superficial and often cartoonish. For example, the story of Taylor's mother is yet another poorly exploited family cliché, where tensions and resolutions are sorely lacking in realism.
Likewise, Ibrahim's past, which could have brought an interesting dimension to the story, remains underdeveloped and simply accumulates stereotypes. These subplots, poorly written and often predictable, harm immersion in the universe of The Cage. On the performance side, it's hard not to notice the weakness of some of the casting choices. Franck Gastambide, also present on screen, seems to have underestimated the demands of his role. His interpretation lacks conviction, which weakens the character he plays and gives the impression that his acting forces the features too much without providing subtlety. This performance leaves a mixed impression, and I sincerely think that he would have benefited from staying behind the camera to concentrate on the direction and development of the characters.
On the other hand, some actors manage to do well. Bosh, for example, plays the “bad guy” with an intensity that corresponds well to his character, although some of his traits are excessively exaggerated. His interpretation brings a theatrical dimension which, if it can seem caricatured at times, remains more convincing than that of Gastambide. Ultimately, the contrast between the different performances contributes to giving an impression of inconstancy to the series. One of the main expectations for a series that takes place in the world of MMA is of course the quality of the fight scenes. If certain sequences succeed in capturing the intensity of the sport, the staging sometimes lacks the authenticity that one might expect from filmed fights.
I would have liked that The Cage adopts a style closer to broadcasts of real fights, like those broadcast on television, which capture every movement, every breath, and every blow with brutal realism. This lack of realism harms immersion, especially for combat sports fans accustomed to images of UFC and professional fights. The series attempts to reproduce the sensations of the arena, but it does not always manage to capture the complexity and depth. A more realistic visual style would have enhanced the authenticity of these scenes, making the fights more engaging and immersive for viewers. In terms of writing, The Cage once again leaves something to be desired. Where Gastambide had managed to create impactful dialogues in his previous series Validhere they seem too weak and poorly adapted to the world of MMA.
The exchanges lack naturalness and sometimes fall into clichéd phrases which limit the emotional impact of the scenes. Real work on the depth of the dialogues would have made it possible to strengthen the attachment to the characters and to better understand their dilemmas and their motivations. The music, for its part, remains quite bland and does not sufficiently accompany the action or the emotion of the scenes. A bolder soundtrack in tune with the energy of the fights could have energized certain moments and contributed to the atmosphere of the series. But instead, the music remains muted and unremarkable, leaving an impression of a lack of artistic commitment to this crucial aspect of the production. Finally, this first season of The Cage is an attempt which, although sincere, remains unfinished.
With only five episodes, the series does not have time to develop real narrative depth, which leaves an impression of superficiality. The subplots are poorly exploited, the characters lack depth, and certain staging choices detract from the realism necessary to fully captivate MMA fans. Despite everything, I recognize the effort to pay tribute to a sport that is often misunderstood and under-represented in television dramas. The physical transformation of Melvin Boomer, the appearance of UFC icons, and the intention to represent the world of MMA are undeniable strong points, but they are not enough to carry the series. So that The Cage gains in quality, a second season should deepen the story and flesh out the characters, taking the time to explore them from more nuanced and less clichéd angles.
More careful production, worked dialogues, and a powerful soundtrack could make this series a real success in the French television landscape. Let's hope that the following season takes the lessons of this first experience to offer a more accomplished show that meets the expectations of MMA fans.
Note : 4.5/10. In short, I want to support the homage paid to MMA but the series is far too sloppy and never really develops anything. 5 episodes was too short.
Available on Netflix
