Gymkata (1985)

Gymkata (1985)

From the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast by TruStory FM

December 3, 2025 · 55 min · Season 8 · Episode 18

About this episode

The hosts discuss the absurdities and entertainment value of the 1985 film Gymkata.

Gymnastics Meets Carnage: Gymkata (1985)Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell pommel horse their way through one of the most wonderfully absurd action films of the 1980s—Gymkata (1985). Starring real-life Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas in his feature film debut (and finale), this Cold War curiosity follows a gymnast-martial artist sent on a CIA mission to win "the game" in the fictional country of Parmistan. The prize? The perfect location for a Star Wars satellite defense system. The obstacles? Rope courses, arrow-wielding guards, and an entire village populated by actual asylum patients armed with pitchforks.The hosts dive into the film's bizarre logic, from the conveniently placed pommel horse in a village alley to the princess who somehow knows martial arts despite never mentioning it. They discuss the film's missed opportunities—why didn't they establish the international competitors better? Why does no one ever say "Gymkata" in the actual movie? And most importantly, why does Jonathan's dad get shot with arrows twice? Both Krissy and Nathan agree that while Gymkata delivers entertaining absurdity, it doesn't…

People in this episode

Hosts: Krissy Lenz, Nathan Blackwell

Topics covered

  • 1980s action films
  • absurd cinema
  • gymnastics
  • Cold War
  • film analysis

Keywords

  • Gymkata
  • Kurt Thomas
  • 1980s
  • action film
  • absurdity
  • CIA mission
  • film analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CIA

Books & works: Gymkata, Miami Connection, Ninja III: The Domination, Enter the Dragon

Places: Parmistan

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