Prisoner of War (2025) Review: Fists Behind Barbed Wire

This Prisoner of War review starts with a simple promise: Scott Adkins, a Japanese prison camp and plenty of punching. Louis Mandylor's low-budget WWII action thriller delivers on that promise more often than not, even if it plays safe elsewhere.

It will not rewrite the war movie playbook. It is, though, a brisk and watchable genre piece for fans of old-school martial arts cinema.

Prisoner of War Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot follows British RAF Wing Commander James Wright, who is captured by Japanese forces during World War II. Rather than simply being locked away, he is forced to fight in brutal hand-to-hand combat for the amusement and pride of his captors.

The twist on the usual prison-camp story is that Wright is no ordinary soldier. His years of martial arts training in Hong Kong make him a formidable opponent, and the guards soon realise they have picked the wrong man to humiliate.

The film runs 113 minutes and was released on 2025-09-19. It is an English-language production from the Philippines, and the script comes from Marc Clebanoff.

What Works in Prisoner of War

The fight scenes are the main draw. As one viewer put it, the action is mostly well done, and the hand-to-hand format gives the film a clear identity compared with typical gunfire-heavy war stories.

• A strong hook: a Western prisoner pitted against Japanese captors makes for natural, easy-to-follow conflict.

• Clear stakes: each bout feels tied to survival and pride, not just spectacle.

• Efficient pacing: the film keeps its focus on the camp and its power struggles.

For a reported budget of around $2 million, the production also looks decent. The setting is believable enough to carry the story, and the camp feels cramped and oppressive.

Prisoner of War Cast and Performances

The Prisoner of War cast is led by Scott Adkins as Wing Commander James Wright. Adkins is a proven screen fighter, and he brings both physical credibility and a stoic, dogged charm to the role.

Peter Shinkoda plays Lt. Col. Benjiro Ito, the officer whose authority Wright keeps testing. Masanori Mimoto appears as Captain Endo, adding another layer of menace on the Japanese side.

Michael Copon plays Sgt. Gabriel Villanueva, Gabbi Garcia plays Theresa, and Michael Rene Walton appears as The Beard. Audience feedback describes the acting as reasonable, which fits: nobody is reaching for awards, but the performances serve the material.

Where Prisoner of War Stumbles

The biggest frustration is wasted potential. The idea of a camp fighting contest, a sort of prison-yard tournament, is rich enough to fill the whole film. Instead, the story drifts toward a more conventional escape plot that feels watered down by comparison.

Characters outside Wright can also feel thin. The antagonism between prisoner and captor works in broad strokes, but the script rarely digs into what drives either side.

Those hoping for a serious historical drama should adjust expectations. This is a war film mainly in setting; the heart of it is martial arts action. Fans of broader War movie reviews may find it lighter than the genre's heavyweights.

Is Prisoner of War Worth Watching?

Yes, if you enjoy martial arts action and do not need a deep story. Audience scores sit around 7.1 out of 10 on TMDB, which matches our view: a solid, entertaining B-movie that knows what it is.

The fights deliver, Adkins is reliably watchable, and the premise is strong enough to hold your attention. The generic second half keeps it from being a standout, but it never overstays its welcome.

If you like this kind of thing, browse our Action movie reviews for similar picks. Viewers who prefer something with a different kind of tension might also try our Thriller movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy Prisoner of War

• Fans of Scott Adkins and straight-ahead martial arts action.

• Viewers who like WWII settings but want fists instead of firefights.

• Anyone after a short, undemanding action thriller for a weekend watch.

For more details on the film, see its IMDb page.