From Wattpad to the Ring: A Review of “Perfect Addiction”
Adaptations of teen fanfiction from platforms like Wattpad have slowly but surely carved out their own niche, albeit not the most prestigious, in contemporary cinema. While seasoned film critics might turn up their noses, the younger generation is turning out in droves, filling theaters and boosting streaming numbers. Take, for example, “The Kissing Booth,” a teen rom-com based on novels written by a 15-year-old schoolgirl, Beth Reekles, which became one of Netflix’s most popular projects. Its close relative, the “After” series, a romantic saga penned by 22-year-old Anna Todd, went even further, dominating wide release for years and holding the top spot in the genre. In 2023, producers of “After” attempted to replicate their success with “Beautiful Disaster,” an adaptation of Jamie McGuire’s young adult novels, but lightning didn’t strike twice. Now, “Perfect Addiction,” inspired by a fanfic from 17-year-old Malaysian author Claudia Tan, is the latest attempt by studios to tap into the expectations of young audiences. In a twist of fate, the film received a full theatrical release in Russia, when it arguably should have been relegated to the dusty shelves of streaming services.
Kiana Madeira as Sienna Lane in a still from “Perfect Addiction”
A Story of Betrayal and Redemption in the MMA World
The plot revolves around Sienna (Kiana Madeira), a successful trainer in the underground fighting scene. When she’s not working, she’s looking after her younger sister (Bri Winslow) and dating the local champion, Jax (Matthew Noszka). Unfortunately, their relationship takes a sharp turn when Sienna discovers Jax cheating on her with her sister, leading her to seek revenge on both of them. To do this, she takes on the training of a rookie fighter named Kayden (Ross Butler), who aims to dethrone Jax and become the new king of the ring. As they train, Sienna finds herself in a familiar situation, falling head over heels for her fighter. Fortunately, Kayden turns out to be a much more noble and less toxic person than her ex, Jax.
Matthew Noszka as Jackson in a still from “Perfect Addiction”
Breaking Free from Tropes: A Glimmer of Originality
If we start with the positives, “Perfect Addiction” aims for originality, breaking free from the comfortable settings of schools and colleges and plunging into a gritty, sweat-soaked gym where muscles are built, but there’s hardly room for tender teenage love. In Sienna’s character, we see a parody of the “strong and independent” woman who is used to carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. As a young student, Sienna has transformed into a dominant maternal figure, ready to take the world under her wing. Unfortunately, her desire to be needed ultimately becomes her “Achilles heel”: loved ones turn away in the most shameful way, leaving the girl alone with the realization of her own insignificance. The agony of a broken heart helps Sienna start over, not to return to past mistakes, but to understand that her kindness is a strength that leads to a better future. Hidden within this seemingly simple love story of two traumatized individuals are healing messages about how self-pity destroys all respect, and anger enslaves all trust. Sienna and Kayden learn the language of sincerity and self-acceptance in the traditions of the old sports school: they stumble, fall, but find the strength to get up and move on. However, this is where the metaphors between “Rocky” and “The Notebook” end, and “Perfect Addiction” increasingly delves into ambiguity.
Nicholas Duvernay as Brent Jacobs in a still from “Perfect Addiction”
When Sentimentality Overpowers Substance
Castille Landon, director of the later “After” installments, predictably focuses on emotional suffering, generously showering viewers with scenes of endless tears and passionate confrontations. In particularly sensitive moments, “Perfect Addiction” does what Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” only promises, but the sensual eroticism here feels more like an intrusive formality than artistic expression. In between the sentimentality, the characters solemnly discuss the vulnerability of women in modern sports, even though the first fight involving a female fighter in MMA took place at the end of the last century. Sienna’s desire to be the shadow of a male champion may be understandable to the average viewer, but it is not at all relevant to the zeitgeist and certainly does not do anything useful for feminism. In the end, “Perfect Addiction” fits well into the trends of sports settings (“Iron Claw,” “Love Lies Bleeding”), while remaining a heartfelt film that emphasizes important human values. The accumulation of genre clichés will never make it an Olympic champion, but that doesn’t seem to have been the goal.