Movie Review

Bloody & brutal Mortal Kombat gets back to video game series basics

When the original Mortal Kombat film came out in 1995, it was among the first wave of movies based on video games, coming just three years after the game itself debuted in arcades in 1992. Like virtually every other video game adaptation since, it was much derided for its laughable plot, dialogue, and, most importantly, action.

Twenty-six years later, not much has changed in the reboot of the franchise except one key thing that lines it up much better with the aesthetic of the video game series. In this Mortal Kombat, the central figure is MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), who is initially unaware that he shares a heritage with the great Hanzo Hasashi (Hiroyuki Sanada), an 1800s era Japanese warrior whose family is slaughtered in a brutal opening sequence.

As always in the series, the plot pits fighters from Earthrealm versus those from the Outworld, which is ruled by Emperor Shang Tsung (Chin Hun). As we learn – but don’t see – Outworld has defeated Earthrealm in nine straight tournaments, and one more win means they will rule for good. It’s up to Cole and the other fighters he meets along the way to prevent the worst from happening.

Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Greg Russo and Dave Callaham, the filmmakers earn points by at least attempting to have a comprehensible plot. That’s not to say that they’re successful; after a decent start, the film quickly does away with any story nonsense to make it all about the fighting, all the time. But the bare minimum of giving Cole a family and laying out some background of other characters lends some light emotion to the proceedings.

Of course, the fighting is what most viewers will want to see, and the blood-spattered opening to the film makes it immediately clear that this is no PG-13 affair. The two ‘90s films were full of cheesy action scenes, so the intensity and graphic nature of the sequences in this film are a step up. And fans of the games will be happy to see that the finishing moves employed by the various characters are extremely gory, which at least gives a visceral sheen to the mostly inane combat.

The film features many of the video game series’ favorite characters, including Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), Kano (Josh Lawson), Jax (Mehcad Brooks), Liu Kang (Ludi Lin), and Lord Raiden (Tadanobu Asano). All of them are showcased to some degree, although given the nature of the story, there are very few surprises and no real stakes for any of them.

As the lead, Tan doesn’t do much to earn viewers’ attention. The character is not all that compelling, and Tan lacks the charm necessary to get people on his side. The two most successful actors are McNamee and Lawson, the former because she actually does possess some charisma, and the latter because his character is given free rein to be loud and profane. Everyone else relies on their fighting skills, CGI, or both to speak for their characters.

This Mortal Kombat will not win any awards and has very little to hang on to if you care about plot. However, with the type of violence that fans of the series will love to see, it can at least claim that it’s no longer watering down the most famous aspect of the game on which it’s based.

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Mortal Kombat is now playing in theaters and on HBO Max.

Joe Taslim in Mortal Kombat.

Joe Taslim in Mortal Kombat

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema & Warner Bros. Pictures

Joe Taslim in Mortal Kombat.

Concert News

10 most festive holiday concerts to see in Dallas in December 2025

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Luz Guerrero is a Dallas-based storyteller, freelance writer, and cultural connector exploring identity and music through personal and collective narratives. Here's her list of 10 standout holiday concerts in DFW.

Much like the weather whiplash we endure in North Texas, tastes in holiday music vary wildly. Maybe you’ve outgrown “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” but still appreciate a grown-up remix. Maybe it’s a sad-girl holiday and hearing one more classic carol might push you into texting your ex. Luckily, Dallas has December programming to meet all of your emotional and mental health needs—no matter where you land on the festive spectrum.

And even though we just flirted with 80-degree temps in late November, the city’s holiday concerts prove that December is when the warmth shows up the loudest.

In chronological order, here are the shows bringing the season to life across Dallas–Fort Worth.

Lady A — This Winter’s Night Tour
Lady A launches their first-ever Christmas tour this year, with Grand Prairie being one of only a dozen stops on the run. The trio arrives with On This Winter’s Night (Volume 2), the long-awaited follow-up to their 2012 holiday album. The set will be holiday classics alongside new originals that build on the sound and spirit of both albums. They’re also riding fresh momentum with a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year at the upcoming 59th Annual CMA Awards. It’s sure to be a holiday show that pairs seasonal charm with the modern-country finesse Lady A delivers.
December 10, Texas Trust CU Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. Tickets: $49–$129 ($72–$166 with fees and taxes)

Michael Martin Murphey – Cowboy Christmas at Arlington Music Hall
Michael Martin Murphey returns to Arlington with Cowboy Christmas, continuing a holiday tradition more than three decades strong. The Oak Cliff–born Country Music Hall of Famer built the show from his 1992 Cowboy Christmas album, a hit that led to five more installments. This year’s production features his Rio Grande Band, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Dancers, and vivid Western imagery. Expect a mix of country ballads, cowboy takes on holiday classics, and the storytelling Murphey is known for. It’s an all-ages event for families, country fans, and anyone looking for traditional holiday cheer spread by a hometown legend.
December 11-12, Arlington Music Hall, 224 N Center St. Tickets: $39-$113

Merry Mayhem 2025
Following its inaugural year, Merry Mayhem brings back its metal holiday toy-drive showcase with a lineup including Waiting 4 April, With Hope Intact, Never Rest, Oresteia, and Chernobyl The Secret!. It’s also an opportunity to check out Puzzles Deep Ellum, the neighborhood’s new live music venue that opened over the summer. Proceeds benefit The Archway (formerly Safe Haven of Tarrant County), supporting women and children with toys and essential items during the holidays. It’s metal with a mission.
December 12, Puzzles Deep Ellum, 2824 Main St. Tickets: $10 presale, $15 at the door

Pentatonix Christmas Photo courtesy of RCA Records

Christmas at the Winspear: A Pop-Rock Holiday Spectacular
The Winspear hosts a holiday program that blends orchestral polish with pop-rock energy. Dallas String Quartet—celebrating their first Grammy nomination—leads the evening alongside Q The Band, with guest appearances from America’s Got Talent finalists Sons of Serendip and The Voice winner Anja Nissen. Ballet dancers and the Preston Center Dance Choir widen the scope for a nicely-tuned, family-friendly holiday sampler.
December 17, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets: $38–$117 ($49–$147 with fees and taxes)

2nd Annual Illuminating Nights — Emo Holiday Edition
Illuminating Nights returns this year—and for this one, waterproof eyeliner is suggested. Expect emotional catharsis through acoustic emo covers of My Chemical Romance, The Used, Brand New, and more, performed by Ryker & Friends with cellist Bri Sargent. The candlelit performance benefits Amplified Minds, a nonprofit providing free mental health services for Texans ages 18+, with a particular focus on creatives. It’s an all-ages, standing-room-only night that leans fully into the feelings December tends to stir up.
December 19, The Studio at The Bomb Factory, 2727 Canton St. Tickets: $20

A Soulful Christmas with KEM (feat. Britney Holmes)
Multi-Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter icon KEM delivers a velvety, soulful holiday set with Dallas’ own Britney Holmes opening. This marks her first performance with her husband, musician Lio Saen—a sweet detail she recently shared on her socials. KEM has long been celebrated for folding pieces of his personal journey of resilience into his performances, promising a night of reflection and gratitude. It’s well-timed too—just days before Christmas, when many listeners are looking for exactly that.
December 19, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets: $49–$199 ($63–$250 with fees and taxes)

The Polyphonic Spree’s 22nd Annual Holiday Extravaganza
Each year, Dallas-born collective The Polyphonic Spree transforms the Majestic into a technicolor holiday universe. With 20+ members and an opening variety act, the evening spans classic and contemporary holiday music alongside fan-favorite originals. Guests are encouraged to dress festively and bring a canned good and a new, unwrapped toy for local families. Expect costumes, characters, a hint of indoor “snow,” and the feeling of walking into a confetti-filled snow globe—complete with cookies and milk at the end.
December 20, Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. Tickets: $45–$95

Pentatonix: Christmas in the City Tour
The three-time Grammy-winning a cappella group returns with Christmas in the City, supporting their new release Holidays Around the World, Vol. 2. Pentatonix is practically synonymous with the season, and this two-night Fort Worth run closes out the tour. Each ticket sold in Fort Worth and Houston donates $1 to Direct Relief to support Texans affected by recent flooding. Across two nights, their signature harmonies will meet the energy of a hometown crowd, an exchange that tends to elevate both.
December 21 & 22, Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth. Tickets: $61–$131 ($80–$166 with fees and taxes)

Dallas Ambient Music Nights: DAMN 50
Dallas Ambient Music Nights (or simply DAMN because it’s fun to say) celebrates a major milestone this year with its 10-year anniversary and 50th showcase. Founded by Cody McPhail, the series has become a destination for listeners drawn to exploratory, immersive soundscapes. This year’s show features eight musical performances accompanied by eight video artists projecting live visuals across the historic Texas Theatre. The result is a meditative environment ideal for anyone seeking a thoughtful post-Christmas reset.
December 27, Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd. Tickets: $25 presale, $30 at the door

Epic Unplugged Presents: An Epic Christmas
For those looking for some post-Christmas fun, Epic Unplugged brings reimagined rock hits and holiday classics backed by a string section. Expect unplugged versions of Queen, Pink Floyd, The Killers, Muse, and Nirvana beneath the open sky—plan accordingly. With more than 20 food and drink options in Legacy Hall, it’s easy to turn this into a full evening with family and friends. The show is all ages, with a 21+ after-party on the second floor. Ticket options range from general admission to reserved tables and VIP seating.
December 27, Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave, Plano. Tickets: $5–$250 ($9–$299 with fees and taxes)

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