Known for its amazing graphics and memorable catchphrases, “Mortal Kombat” is making headlines again, but not for parents forbidding their kids from playing the video game. Instead it’s for the new movie “Mortal Kombat” that came out in theaters and on HBO Max on April 16. Don’t worry, because you might have to watch this behind your parents back.

The movie follows MMA fighter Cole Young, played by Lewis Tan. Cole doesn’t know it, but he is a descendant of Hanzo Hasashi, better known as Scorpion, whose bloodline is long thought to be ended. Much like the video games, the Outworld is trying to win the Mortal Kombat tournament and take over Earth. Cole, along with other champions for Earth, must prepare to battle the Outworld warriors in order to save their planet from being taken over.

The movie stays true to the video games while adding its own new touches. It pulled characters from multiple different games in the series including the original seven that were first introduced in the first game. They also added a new character, Cole, to be the protagonist. The movie also does a great job of giving enough backstory so you know what’s happening without having to play the video games. However, they do this in a way in which the storyline is not based completely off of the video games, so they can create their own.

As mentioned before, part of what makes this movie different from the video games is the introduction of a new main character, Cole. Cole is seen as a replacement for popular character Johnny Cage, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Part of the purpose for using a new character is so everyone can enjoy the movie, not just people who have played the game. In an interview with the entertainment site Inverse, producer Todd Garner said, “If you walked into the theater and you didn’t know anything [about Mortal Kombat], would you enjoy it? We have to, by the end of the movie, get everyone caught up.”

But never fear fans of Johnny Cage, since Cage might make an appearance in the next film, as teased at the end of the movie.

Since the video games are known for their graphics and violence, that was a huge part of the movie and filmmakers put lots of time and attention to making sure that fans of the video game would get what they wanted. And they did not disappoint: to be honest, my favorite part of the movie was watching the fight scenes and seeing people get brutally killed (like, brutally killed). However, the violence is intense and not for everyone, so if you don’t like watching extremely intense and fatal fight scenes — like someone getting sawed in half — this movie is not for you.

Whether you are a fan of the video games or not, “Mortal Kombat” is a must watch movie. It has great action that keeps you engaged and even finds room to sneak in a bit of humor too. You will definitely find yourself wanting to play the video game after watching “Mortal Kombat.”