The iconic Mortal Kombat franchise has come a long way from its debut in 1992 as an arcade game. Since then. over a dozen games have been released as well as two movies. Nearly every game in the series was successful but each attempt at a film was met with failure. Despite its notoriously bad movies, the Mortal Kombat franchise has tested its luck with an R-Rated reboot of the films.
Mortal Kombat (2021) provides fans with an intense and gory experience that perfectly encapsulates the games. The movie included numerous aspects from the games, but the most significant addition was fatalities. There were many over-the-top finishers in the film that reflected the signature fatalities of their respective character. While all of them were awesome some were truer to the games than others. For those who have not realized, there will be spoilers ahead regarding Mortal Kombat (2021).
7 Sonya Blade vs. Mileena
Sonya Blade is known for her absurd methods of finishing off her opponents. While Mortal Kombat is chocked full of strange fatalities Sonyas are especially unique. Using kisses of death, leg strength, or a variety of armaments she can decimate kombatants rarely leaving any trace. In Mortal Kombat (2021) her finishers were much tamer than her video game counterpart.
In Mortal Kombat (2021) Sonya Blade is faced against Mileena the abominable creation of Shang Tsung. To save Cole Young from Mileena's vicious jaws Sonya uses her newfound ability and shoots Mileena. A purple blast of energy sends Mileena flying and leaves an opening in her body revealing her spine. This fatality shares different aspects of Sonya's finishers, but it does not resemble any of her most notable fatalities. While it is not one of Sonya's famous fatalities, the timing and camera shot makes this moment stand out from the rest of the film.
6 Liu Kang vs. Kabal
Liu Kang is a fiery Shaolin monk that has proved his might against the most powerful kombatants of the franchise. He is a master of martial arts and a wielder of powerful magic. His unique ability to use fire and summon/turn into dragons allows him to finish opponents in astounding ways. Mortal Kombat (2021) took advantage of Liu Kang's thrilling fatalities and brought the most epic one to the big screen.
After Kung Lao's unfortunate death at the hands of Shang Tsung Liu Kang faces off against the speedster Kabal. Using his anger Liu Kang channels his power to summon a dragon made of fire. The dragon bites Kabal and drives its fiery body into him leaving a charred body. It does not accurately resemble Liu Kang's fatalities and better reflects his fatal blow in Mortal Kombat 11. Nevertheless, this scene is one of the most epic and memorable moments in the entire film.
5 Scorpion vs. Sub Zero
Scorpion is one of the most popular and powerful characters of the entire franchise. As a vengeful revenant ninja Scorpion possesses many unique abilities that he uses to dispatch opponents. Scorpion's signature kunai with chain and hellish powers allow him to finish off kombatants in gruesome ways. Mortal Kombat (2021) displayed his skills as a ninja and featured his revenant abilities during his fight with Sub Zero.
The most climactic scene in the movie is the fight between Scorpion and his nemesis Sub Zero. It is a suspenseful moment that ends with Scorpion besting Sub Zero and finishing him off with his demonic power. Scorpion removes his mask and breathes fire onto Sub Zero scorching him until he collapses and dies. This fatality closely resembles Scorpion's most notable finisher dating back to the original Mortal Kombat. Seeing one of the most famous fatalities of the game in the movie made this scene one of the most exciting moments of the film.
4 Shang Tsung vs. Kung Lao
Shang Tsung is a despicable antagonist of the Mortal Kombat games that has an affinity for stealing souls. Not only is he the host of the Mortal Kombat tournament but a kombatant himself that uses powerful magic against opponents. Shang Tsung's preferred methods of finishing kombatants involve him feasting on their souls leaving a lifeless husk. This powerful magic was seen in Mortal Kombat (2021) and many fans watched in horror as Shang Tsung stole the soul of a beloved character.
After Kung Lao's victory against the vampiric Nitara, he is confronted by the sinister Shang Tsung. In just a few moments Shang Tsung grabs Kung Lao by the throat and lifts him into the air with one hand. Life begins to leave Kung Lao and his soul is drawn out of his body into the mouth of Shang Tsung. This finisher almost perfectly resembles Shang Tsung's infamous fatality from Mortal Kombat 2. The movie makes this fatality much more horrific than the games ever could.
3 Kung Lao vs. Nitara
Kung Lao is a deadly Shaolin monk that wields one of the most unique weapons of the franchise. Using martial arts and his razor-rimmed hat, Kung Lao swiftly decimates opponents in battle. Kung Lao uses his iconic hat to finish off kombatants by hacking and sawing them to pieces. Fans never thought they would see Kung Lao's lethal hat in movies but Mortal Kombat (2021) presented it in the goriest way imaginable.
Kung Lao faces the Outworld vampire Nitara after she attacks him from behind. Kung Lao was ready for Nitara's surprise attack and he prepares his hat for a deadly attack. He climbs onto her back and drives her down to his spinning hat sawing her in half. This fatality accurately depicts Kung Lao's finisher in Mortal Kombat X except it was executed from the air. This fatality was the most explicit finisher of the movie that really took advantage of the R-rating.
2 Kano vs. Reptile
The most vulgar cybernetic criminal in the Mortal Kombat franchise is without a doubt, Kano. He is an infamous Earthrealm criminal that uses a brutal fighting style and robotic eye to butcher opponents. Kano defeats kombatants through a variety of simple yet savage finishers that reflect his bloodthirsty demeanor. Mortal Kombat (2021) did not dilute Kano's brutality and brought his trademark fatality to the big screen.
Kano faces against one of the most terrifying opponents in Mortal Kombat the last saurian known as Reptile. After a grueling battle against his reptilian opponent, Kano stuns Reptile with a knife to the ribs. Kano takes his knife back and forces his hand through Reptile's chest pulling out his heart then shouting Kano wins. This finisher is exactly like Kano's famous fatality from the original Mortal Kombat. Seeing Kano ripping out hearts once again reveals the amount of inspiration the movie took from the games.
1 Jax vs. General Reiko
The hardened cybernetic soldier Jax is one of Earthrealm's greatest defenders. With military weaponry and his robotic arms, Jax is able to eliminate opponents with overwhelming firepower. Jax utilizes the unparalleled strength of his cybernetic arms to finish off kombatants by smashing, severing, or shooting them. After an unfortunate dismemberment by Sub Zero and intricate cybernetic surgery Jax appears in Mortal Kombat (2021) to tests his arms out for the first time.
Upon joining his Earthrealm companions Jax is faced against General Reiko the leader of Outworld's army. Throughout the fight fans witness Jax getting accustomed to his powerful new arms which he uses to overpower Reiko. Jax knocks Reiko to his knees and smashes his head with a devastating clap of his hands. This finisher perfectly resembles Jax's signature fatality of Mortal Kombat 2. Jax's simple yet effective fatality was the most accurate finisher that left fans in awe.