The King of the Kickboxers

In Bangkok, 1981, Sean Donahue defeats the Thai champion to claim the Muay Thai title. His victory is witnessed by his younger brother Jake in the corner. After the match, en route to the hotel, Sean is ambushed, and Khan murders him with a brutal triple-kick sequence.

Khan confronts Sean after the ambush and kills him in front of Jake. The ruthless finish leaves Jake shaken and solidifies Khan as a deadly, unyielding foe. This moment sets the stage for Khan's vendetta against Sean's family and legacy.

A decade passes and Jake Donahue is now a New York City detective. He goes undercover to bust a drug deal in an abandoned warehouse, relying on a street-fighting style to subdue the dealers. The confrontation earns him a rebuke from SWAT and Captain O'Day for excessive force.

Interpol approaches the NYPD about a snuff-film sting and wants Jake to lead the operation. He initially refuses, arguing the assignment is too dangerous and lies outside his jurisdiction. The case haunts him, especially given the Khan connection.

That night, Jake watches one of the snuff films and recognizes Khan as the star. The revelation triggers a vivid flashback to Sean's death, reigniting Jake's resolve to take the assignment. He decides to fly to Thailand to confront Khan directly.

Jake arrives in Thailand and meets his contact Anderson, who explains that snuff-producers recruit fighters. He learns that American fighter Dan Handel is Khan's latest star and that Handel pays a brutal price on set. Handel is killed, underscoring Khan's ruthless control over the operation.

Jake's initial attempt at a Muay Thai school falls flat, his rough street-fighting style not yet suited to the traditional discipline. His persistence catches the eye of Thasi, a Thai-American fighter who sees potential in him. This encounter marks the turning point of Jake's training journey.

Thasi directs Jake to Prang, the only man who nearly defeated Khan. Prang's chimp steals Jake's passport, complicating his stay. A tense confrontation ends with Prang agreeing to train Jake after recognizing his determination.

Prang explains Khan's past defeats and the cost of revenge. Jake reveals the death of his brother Sean, which deepens his commitment. Prang agrees to train him, beginning a brutal regimen that tests Jake's limits.

Khan selects Molly for the night, but she tricks him during a washing ritual and escapes. Khan's men pursue Molly, and Jake comes to her aid. The rescue forges a bond between them as they dodge Khan's reach.

Under Prang's grueling training, Jake proves his growing skill in an underground bout. Mr. McKinney, a scout for the snuff films, notices his potential and offers him a way into Khan's operation. Jake accepts the possibility, torn between revenge and risk.

Anderson steps toward Jake's side, and Captain O'Day agrees to support the operation, provided Jake goes through with the staged shoot. The team plans the mission as Jake steels himself for the dangerous path ahead. The support marks a turning point in their fight against Khan.

On the set, a booby-trapped bamboo dome becomes the crucible for the confrontation. Molly is kidnapped and Prang is killed as Khan tightens his grip over the operation. Jake, in disguise as Hanuman, makes his way through Khan's goons toward the showdown.

Khan and Jake clash with equal ferocity as the fight spills through the dome. Thanks to Prang's training, Jake counters Khan's famous triple-death kick and begins to gain the upper hand. Khan is unmasked and defeated, his plan unraveling as he staggers toward a deadly trap.

Thai authorities arrive as the dome collapses and the snuff operation is exposed. Molly and Jake survive and celebrate the possibility of starting a life together. The criminals are arrested while the film project is dismantled and the threat is ended.