Hands (2026) Review: Old-School Fight Flick Short on Punch

This Hands review covers a low-budget martial arts throwback directed by Justin Kuhn. It follows a fighting couple through the underground circuit, and it clearly wants to recall the action movies of the '80s and '90s. The intent is easy to like, though the execution is far less certain.

Hands Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Hands plot is simple. Naomi and Mindy belong to a world of elite underground fighters, and they want to prove they are the best in it. Standing in their way are a greedy rival and a merciless hired gun.

As the stakes rise, the couple must decide what matters more: winning the title or getting revenge. That tension drives the first act, and it is a classic setup for an action movie of this type. The film runs about 90 minutes, so it does not waste much time getting to the fights.

Hands arrived on January 8, 2026. Several sources describe it as a digital and streaming release rather than a theatrical one. The Hands release date is the only distribution detail I can confirm, so check your streaming apps for current availability.

What Works in Hands

The film knows what it wants to be. It leans into the martial arts tradition of tournament fighters, rival gangs and revenge, and that gives it a clear identity. If you enjoy straightforward genre cinema, the premise is easy to follow.

The cast also brings some fun genre history. Donald Gibb and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson are familiar names for fans of fight-driven movies, and their presence adds a touch of nostalgia. A few fight sequences are better than the rest, according to early viewer comments.

The short runtime helps too. At roughly 90 minutes, the story moves along, and nothing is padded for the sake of scale.

Hands Cast and Performances

The Hands cast is led by Ashley A. Williams as Naomi and Tanjareen Martin as Mindy. Sources differ slightly on some credits, so I follow the names supplied for this review. Their pairing is the heart of the film, and the revenge-versus-victory dilemma rests on them.

Around them, the supporting players include:

• Donald Gibb as Bas

• James M. Black as Carter

• Billy Banks as Thomas Westbrook

• Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson as Killgore

The film asks its actors to play broad, genre-style characters. That suits the throwback tone, but it leaves little room for nuance. The villains are written in bold strokes, which can be entertaining but rarely surprising.

Where Hands Stumbles

The weak points are easy to spot in early audience reactions. Viewers on Letterboxd describe clunky fight choreography outside a handful of sequences, and for a film built on fighting, that is a real problem. Others say much of the script lacks substance and the cinematography feels unnatural.

A Familiar Formula

One widely read IMDb review calls it a generic martial arts action movie. That fits the setup: underground tournaments, a greedy rival, a hired killer and a revenge choice. The film does little to put a fresh spin on any of it.

A Plex reviewer said the '80s and '90s vibe is charming in theory but less so in execution. I agree that the idea is stronger than the finished film. Professional reviews are scarce, so these audience comments are the best guide to how the film is landing.

Is Hands Worth Watching?

It depends on how forgiving you are. If you like low-budget martial arts action and don't mind rough edges, Hands is a passable 90 minutes. If you want sharp choreography or an inventive script, you will probably be disappointed.

Audience scores are modest. IMDb shows 5.5 out of 10, and Plex shows 4.2 out of 10. TMDB's score of 6.6 comes from only six votes, so it tells us little. There is no critics' consensus yet.

In short, the question of whether Hands is worth watching comes down to expectations. It is a throwback, not a breakthrough. Browse our other action movie reviews if you want stronger picks, such as the gritty State of Fear review.

For background, the IMDb page for Hands lists full credits and user ratings.

Who Will Enjoy Hands

• Fans of old-school martial arts movies who value atmosphere over polish.

• Viewers who like revenge stories set in underground fighting circuits.

• Anyone who wants a short, undemanding action film for a casual night in.