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Only the Strong

Only the Strong

Action · Drama · 1993

Former Green Beret Louis Stevens returns to his hometown of Miami after completing military service in Brazil, only to learn that his old high school has become a haven for gangs and drug dealers. After Stevens uses his capoeira skills to kick several drug dealers off of the school property, Kerrigan, one of Stevens' old teachers, sees the impact that Stevens has on the students. Kerrigan gives him the task of teaching Capoeira to a handful of the worst at-risk students at the school.

Movie details

Only the Strong

“The ultimate martial art.”

1993 Action · Drama 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

Former Green Beret Louis Stevens returns to his hometown of Miami after completing military service in Brazil, only to learn that his old high school has become a haven for gangs and drug dealers. After Stevens uses his capoeira skills to kick several drug dealers off of the school property, Kerrigan, one of Stevens' old teachers, sees the impact that Stevens has on the students. Kerrigan gives him the task of teaching Capoeira to a handful of the worst at-risk students at the school.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Only the Strong?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Where it lives

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Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Sheldon Lettich

Written by

Sheldon Lettich · Luis Esteban

Mark Dacascos

Mark Dacascos

Louis Stevens

Paco Christian Prieto

Paco Christian Prieto

Silverio

Stacey Travis

Stacey Travis

Dianna

Richard Coca

Richard Coca

Orlando Aliveres

Geoffrey Lewis

Geoffrey Lewis

Kerrigan

Todd Susman

Todd Susman

Cochran

Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter

Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter

Philippe

Court is in session

Put Only the Strong on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Cool Ironist

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.