Photo credit: movieweb.com
In an exciting update for fans of the genre, Netflix has officially renewed its newest hit series, the French sports drama The Cage, for a second season. The show, which mixes elements from classics like Rocky and Warrior, follows the journey of a young mixed martial arts fighter striving for success in the challenging arena of professional fighting. Despite polarizing opinions from critics and viewers, the show has managed to avoid the fate of many of its contemporaries, securing another season of content for audiences to enjoy.
The announcement of Season 2 was made through the official X/Twitter account of Netflix France, which excitedly proclaimed, “The Fight Continues—The Cage Season 2 Confirmed!” Since its launch on November 8, the series has achieved a remarkable viewership, racking up 17.40 million views and briefly dethroning the critically acclaimed anime Arcane as the top title on the platform.
Created by Sylvain Caron and Franck Gastambide, The Cage (originally titled La Cage) features Melvin Boomer, known for his role in Reign Supreme, portraying the central character, Taylor, an aspiring fighter. The series boasts a talented cast, including Franck Gastambide (The Wages of Fear), Bosh (Validé), and Antoine Simony (Summer of 85), as well as appearances by real-life MMA fighters like Edwige Ahonto, Georges St-Pierre, Ciryl Gane, Jon Jones, and Anissa Meksen.
‘The Cage’ Received a Divisive Response From Both Critics & Audiences
Although the viewership numbers indicate a strong initial interest, the critical reception has been mixed. The series has not accumulated enough reviews on Rotten Tomatoes to establish a critics’ score, but it currently holds a contentious 56% on the Popcornmeter. Viewer feedback is similarly diverse, with some praising the series while others express significant dissatisfaction. For instance, user Alexis P awarded The Cage a perfect 5/5, noting, “I absolutely loved La Cage! This series dives into the gritty world of MMA and captures the highs and lows of chasing a dream in the fighting arena. Taylor Keita’s journey from an amateur to a rising star feels raw and real, and the fights are intense and beautifully choreographed.”
Conversely, Justin W rated the show a modest 2.5, suggesting it may appeal primarily to MMA fans, while others may find the character development lacking. On the other end of the spectrum, Mike R harshly criticized the production, stating, “Trash. All of the budget clearly went to UFC fighters and not toward training/acting/writing. If you want to watch toddlers fight MMA with a horrible storyline, please, feel free.”
Critics too have offered varied perspectives. Johnny Loftus from Decider commended the show for its unexpected twists, while Sushrut Gopesh from DMT expressed hope for a more compelling narrative in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Arash Nahandian of Gazettely highlighted the emotional depth and action, labeling the series a worthwhile watch.
The official synopsis for The Cage reads: “Dreaming of going pro, a young fighter struggles to be seen until an unexpected combat lands him a shot at the big time — and a brutal rival in the cage.”
The Cage
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Creator(s): Franck Gastambide
Cast: Franck Gastambide, Melvin Boomer, Georges St-Pierre, Bosh, Adel Bencherif, Cyril Gane, Salahdine Parnasse, Abdoul Abdouraguimov, Ramzan Jembiev, Anissa Meksen, Souleymane Cissokho, Samy Sana, Antoine Simony, Gregory Defleur
Source
movieweb.com