Boyka: The Favorite (Undisputed 4: Boyka / Boyka: Undisputed IV) is a 2016 Bulgarian-American sports drama action film directed by Todor Chapkanov from a screenplay by Boaz Davidson and David N. White. The film premiered in the United States on September 22, 2016.
Boyka: The Favorite is the fourth part of the popular series Undisputed a film that definitively transformed the character Yuri Boyka into one of the most iconic figures in modern action cinema. The film continues the story of the ruthless fighter, played by Scott Adkins.
After the events of Undisputed III: Redemption The series has already built a solid fan base, thanks to the impressive choreography of the fight scenes and Adkins' charismatic presence. In Boyka: The Favorite however, the story takes it a step further by adding more drama and moral dilemmas to the well-known action.
After leaving the world of prison tournaments, Yuri Boyka tries to build a new life as a professional fighter. He participates in illegal MMA fights and strives for one goal - to reach the big world tournaments and finally prove that he is "the best fighter in the world.".
However, during one of his matches, tragedy strikes. Boyka's opponent dies from his injuries, which shakes the hero and makes him question everything he believed in. Wracked with guilt, Boyka decides to find the family of the deceased fighter. This leads him to a small Russian town, where he meets his opponent's widow.
There, however, he learns that she is living under the control of a local crime boss who organizes illegal fighting tournaments and uses the people around him as a means of profit. In an effort to help the woman and atone for his guilt, Boyka agrees to participate in a series of brutal fights against dangerous fighters from all over the world. These fights become not only a physical test, but also a moral journey for the hero, who must decide what kind of person he wants to be.
Todor Chapkanov manages to combine the intense action of the series with a more serious dramatic tone. While the previous installments focused mainly on tournaments and prison fights, Boyka: The Favorite places greater emphasis on the main character's internal struggle.
The fight scenes are, as always, the main focus of the film. The camera follows the movements of the fighters dynamically, without relying too much on editing tricks. This allows the viewer to clearly see the technique and physical training of the actors. Particularly impressive are several key fights, which demonstrate different fighting styles - from classic kickboxing to more brutal street techniques.
The cast is made up mostly of fighters and actors specializing in the action genre, which makes the fight scenes even more convincing.
Scott Adkins is Yuri Boyka – a charismatic and ruthless fighter who gradually becomes a deeper and morally complex character. Adkins impresses not only with his physical form, but also with his more emotional performance.
Teodora Duhovnikova plays Alma – the widow of the deceased fighter, who finds herself at the center of the conflict between Boyka and the local criminal network.
Alon Aboutbul is Zurab – the unscrupulous organizer of illegal tournaments, who uses fighters as a means of profit and control.
Brahim Achabake and Igor Kazmir appear as some of Boyka's dangerous opponents in the arena.
Scott Adkins carries the film almost entirely on his shoulders, combining physical explosiveness with surprising emotional depth.
Boyka: The Favorite is one of the best modern action films and a worthy sequel to the popular series. It manages to offer both spectacular fight scenes and a deeper story of redemption and personal transformation. For fans of martial arts, the film is a real treat, and for fans of the character Yuri Boyka - an important chapter in his evolution from a ruthless fighter to a man searching for meaning beyond victory.
