In 1986, the Cannon Group—those lovable purveyors of low-budget exploitative chaos—unleashed Avenging Force, directed by Sam Firstenberg, the man behind American Ninja. Originally meant as a sequel to Chuck Norris’ Invasion U.S.A., this standalone flick, co-written by and co-starring James Booth, swaps Norris for Michael Dudikoff as Matt Hunter,(they made his last name too obvious) a retired Secret Service agent turned one-man "Avenging Force" pardon the pun. So, what makes this 80’s B flick thriller a buried gem?
It’s not just the relentless action sequences or the swamp-soaked finale—it’s the surprising grit, a good supporting cast, and a villainous plot that feels eerily prescient. Let’s explore why Avenging Force deserves to be unearthed from the VHS graveyard."
"Avenging Force” kicks off with a bayou manhunt, where masked goons chase down helpless prey. Enter Matt Hunter, played by Michael Dudikoff, a former black ops agent now chilling on his Louisiana ranch with his kid sister Sarah and grandpa. When his old military buddy, Larry Richards—a Black Senate candidate played by the magnetic Steve James—is targeted by a far-right extremist group called the Pentangle, Matt’s retirement gets a hard pass. The Pentangle, led by the slimy Professor Elliott Glastenbury (John P. Ryan), are white supremacists who hunt humans for sport and want Larry dead to squash his progressive campaign. After a brutal Mardi Gras attack kills Larry’s son, the Pentangle burns Matt’s ranch, kills Larry’s family, and kidnaps Sarah, forcing Matt into a “Most Dangerous Game”-style hunt through the swamps. It's raw, mean, and unapologetic.
Sam Firstenberg delivers set pieces that hit like a sledgehammer. From a dockside brawl where Steve James unleashes panther-like fury to a fiery ranch siege, the fights are visceral and relentless. The climactic bayou hunt is a masterclass in tension—rain-soaked, muddy, and packed with brutal showdowns, like Matt facing a samurai-sword-wielding psycho and a mace-swinging Glastenbury. The Louisiana setting, with its oppressive swamps and eerie masks, gives the film a gritty, almost horror-like vibe. George S. Clinton’s synth-heavy score amps up the stakes in certain scenes, while underwhelming in others, also of note, his ending theme was borrowed heavily from 1985's to live and die in LA.
Michael Dudikoff isn’t exactly De Niro, but his stoic charm works as Matt Hunter. He’s a blank slate for the audience, while letting the action do the talking. The real OG here, is Steve James as Larry Richards. James, a martial artist and action veteran, who steals nearly every scene with his physical and fighting attributes especially during the dock scene. Tragically, the film kills him off too soon, a sin it barely recovers from as this movie could've been a tentpole buddy action flick a year prior to Lethal Weapon.
John P. Ryan as Glastenbury chews scenery like a Neo Nazi supervillain , his unhinged performance—part Southern gentleman, part genocidal maniac—making the Pentangle genuinely terrifying because of its similarities to certain political provocateurs. "Avenging Force” isn’t just a mindless action flick—it’s a snapshot of 80s anxieties and in many ways, foreshadows today’s social political climate I don’t have to necessarily spill it out but if you know you know.
The Pentangle’s human-hunting fetish prefigure the militia villains of 90s films like “Hard Target”. Released during Reagan’s America, the film’s anti-racist stance, however heavy-handed, feels bold for a Cannon production. It’s not subtle, as —Nina Darnton of “The New York Times” called it out for lacking nuance—but subtlety isn’t the point.
Some of the acting is cringe af especially during one scene that comes off like a ABC After-school Special. "Avenging Force" at it's core, is a fist-pumping, good-vs-evil slugfest that dares to tackle real-world ugliness. Its influence lingers in action tropes, inspiring latter films such as Surviving the Game and especially John Woo's Hard Target! The film's status has increased, aided by Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber and discussions on social media platforms highlighting its intensity.
You can stream it on Amazon Prime, MGM+ or grab the Blu-ray. Rediscover this 80s relic and let Matt Hunter’s swampy revenge fuel your next movie night.