An exterminator finds out he may be the world’s only hope in the martial arts comedy Kung Fu Deadly, playing at Fantastic Fest 2026.
Kung Fu Deadly finds small-scale charms in the doomsday scenario at the center of this action comedy.
Lifelong friends and slackers Danny (Steven He) and Frank (Michael Tient) go through life eking by with a second-rate extermination company that seems to cost them more than it makes them. Left to Danny by his father, it’s getting to the point where it feels like the offer from family friend Ronnie (Steve Wall) to buy the company may be the right decision. Having the paperwork ready to sign, fate intervenes; Danny may have found his calling as the Taoist guardian of an ancient Chinese evil. Danny (along with Frank) must summon all of his courage (and competence) if he is going to help Lian (Gemma Chua-Tran), a seasoned warrior and guardian, attempt to stop a full-on apocalypse.
This action comedy finds itself smartly siding on a more human scale, with action set pieces that are as comedic as much as they are impactful. The film is more Shaun of the Dead scale than anything biblical scale like The Mummy. That by no means detracts from this charming action comedy. Writers Paul Markey and Paddy McDonald have come up with a clever coming-of- (early middle) age story rather than some sort of action extravaganza.
Though a comedy, the action is consistently sharp and well executed, with stars Steven He and Gemma Chua-Tran proving to be adept leads. Director Fergal Costello’s direction balances both comedy and action with equal weight. The film never feels like a comedy with some action or vice versa. The set pieces are acutely executed and impactful by action director Lee Haung. The result is a film that’s consistently funny and attuned to the story’s characters while adroitly placing them in its well-executed action set pieces.
Kung Fu Deadly plays at Fantastic Fest 2026
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An exterminator finds out he may be the world’s only hope in the martial arts comedy Kung Fu Deadly, playing at Fantastic Fest 2026.
Kung Fu Deadly finds small-scale charms in the doomsday scenario at the center of this action comedy.
Lifelong friends and slackers Danny (Steven He) and Frank (Michael Tient) go through life eking by with a second-rate extermination company that seems to cost them more than it makes them. Left to Danny by his father, it’s getting to the point where it feels like the offer from family friend Ronnie (Steve Wall) to buy the company may be the right decision. Having the paperwork ready to sign, fate intervenes; Danny may have found his calling as the Taoist guardian of an ancient Chinese evil. Danny (along with Frank) must summon all of his courage (and competence) if he is going to help Lian (Gemma Chua-Tran), a seasoned warrior and guardian, attempt to stop a full-on apocalypse.
This action comedy finds itself smartly siding on a more human scale, with action set pieces that are as comedic as much as they are impactful. The film is more Shaun of the Dead scale than anything biblical scale like The Mummy. That by no means detracts from this charming action comedy. Writers Paul Markey and Paddy McDonald have come up with a clever coming-of- (early middle) age story rather than some sort of action extravaganza.
Though a comedy, the action is consistently sharp and well executed, with stars Steven He and Gemma Chua-Tran proving to be adept leads. Director Fergal Costello’s direction balances both comedy and action with equal weight. The film never feels like a comedy with some action or vice versa. The set pieces are acutely executed and impactful by action director Lee Haung. The result is a film that’s consistently funny and attuned to the story’s characters while adroitly placing them in its well-executed action set pieces.
Kung Fu Deadly plays at Fantastic Fest 2026
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