If you grew up in the nineties, you probably remember the Kickboxer series as the definitive Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle. But by the time the fifth installment, officially titled Redemption: Kickboxer 5, hit the direct-to-video shelves in 1995, things had changed. Van Damme was long gone. Sasha Mitchell, who played David Sloane for three movies, was also out.
Honestly, the cast of Kickboxer 5 is what makes this movie such a weird, fascinating outlier in martial arts cinema history. It basically functions as a standalone film that someone slapped a franchise label on at the last second.
Mark Dacascos Takes the Lead
The biggest shift here is the introduction of Mark Dacascos as Matt Reeves. If you know Dacascos from John Wick: Chapter 3 or his stint as the Chairman on Iron Chef America, you know he has legitimate, world-class martial arts skills.
In Kickboxer 5, Dacascos plays a retired champion-turned-teacher who gets sucked into a revenge plot. It’s a departure from the Sloane family lineage. Dacascos brings a fluidity and athleticism that, quite frankly, outshines the previous sequels. His character, Matt, isn't related to Kurt or David Sloane. He’s just a friend of David’s. In a bizarre opening sequence, the movie uses silhouettes to show David Sloane being murdered because they couldn't (or wouldn't) bring Sasha Mitchell back.
🔗 Read more: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
It’s a brutal way to pivot the franchise.
The Villain: James Ryan as Mr. Negaal
You can't talk about this cast without mentioning James Ryan. He plays Mr. Negaal, the head of a corrupt South African kickboxing federation. Ryan is an absolute scene-chewer. He plays the villain with this eccentric, almost manic energy that feels like it belongs in a Bond movie rather than a gritty martial arts flick.
Negaal’s whole deal is that he wants to start his own fighting organization and kills anyone who refuses to join. It’s a simple motive, but Ryan makes it memorable.
💡 You might also like: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
The Supporting Players
The dynamic changes further when we meet Geoff Meed, who plays Paul Croft. Croft starts as a secondary antagonist—a convict released specifically to kill Matt Reeves—but ends up becoming his ally.
- Tony Caprari plays Moon, one of Negaal’s primary henchmen.
- Greg Latter appears as Bollen, another slimy associate of the Negaal Federation.
- Denney Pierce plays Johnny Styles, the friend whose death sets the plot in motion.
The chemistry between Dacascos and Meed actually turns the film into a "buddy cop" style action movie for the second half. They spend a lot of time wandering through South Africa, dodging Negaal’s goons and preparing for the final showdown.
Why the Cast of Kickboxer 5 Matters Now
For a long time, fans ignored this entry. It felt like "Kickboxer in name only." But looking back, the cast of Kickboxer 5 represented a transition in 90s action. It moved away from the tournament-style structure of the first four films and tried to be a globe-trotting thriller.
📖 Related: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
The fight choreography by James Lew (who is a legend in the stunt world) is actually some of the best in the series. Dacascos was at his physical peak here. He’s doing backflips and capoeira-influenced kicks that the franchise hadn't really seen before.
Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're revisiting the series or watching it for the first time, keep these things in mind:
- Forget the Sloanes: Treat Matt Reeves as a totally new hero. It makes the movie much better.
- Watch for the Stunts: The airport chase and the farm training montage are highlights.
- James Ryan's Performance: Pay attention to how over-the-top Negaal is. It adds a layer of camp that makes the movie fun.
- Check out Mark Dacascos's Other Work: If you like his style here, Only the Strong and Crying Freeman are essential 90s watches.
The film is a relic of the South African film boom of the mid-90s, where American productions filmed in Johannesburg and Cape Town for the unique scenery and lower costs. It gives the movie a visual texture that sets it apart from the Thailand-based originals.
While it might not be the most famous entry, the talent involved—from Dacascos to director Kristine Peterson—ensured it wasn't just a cheap cash-in. It’s a competent, high-energy actioner that deserves a second look from any martial arts enthusiast.
To dive deeper into the world of 90s martial arts cinema, your next step is to compare the fight styles of Mark Dacascos in this film against his breakthrough role in Only the Strong. You'll see how he adapted his "Matt Reeves" character to be more of a traditional kickboxer while still sneaking in his signature acrobatic flair.