Kabal is a supporting character in the 2021 movie Mortal Kombat. Little is revealed about his background, but like his video game counterpart, he was once a member of the Black Dragon crime syndicate. He was enticed by Shang Tsung to fight on behalf of Outworld for wealth and power.
History[]
Kabal first appears in Outworld, with both him and Reiko being escorted by Mileena to Shang Tsung's throne. After making a remark about Nitara, he hears out Shang Tsung's intentions to attack Earthrealm's champions at Raiden's temple but expresses concern over the lightning shield that blocks out all entries to the temple. Due to being brainwashed for the third time, Kabal offers to help, mentioning how he's familiar with one of the champions - Kano - and is confident that he can turn him against the other champions when in reality he had alternative motives and had no intentions to being a servant to Shao Kahn.
After witnessing Goro's arrival with the rest of his allies, he travels to Raiden's temple where he finds Kano. After exchanging several remarks to one another, Kabal expresses his disgust towards Kano's downfall and offers him a chance to join Outworld's champions, promising wealth and potential claim over the temple.
Upon convincing Kano to defect, he instructs him to destroy Raiden's staff, therefore shutting down the shield and allowing the Outworld warriors to enter the temple. Kabal arrives via portal with Shang Tsung and the rest of the Outworld warriors, attacking Kung Lao first before engaging Liu Kang, his super-speed being too overwhelming for the monk. As Raiden begins teleporting all of Earthrealm's champions to the Void, Kabal pins Liu Kang against a wall and turns his attention away from him upon hearing Kung Lao's cries for help. Realizing that Shang Tsung is stealing his soul, he taunts Liu Kang before being beaten, buying Liu Kang time to run away. Kabal chases after Liu Kang, at one point cornering him with Reiko, yet he still fails to catch and kill him.
Kabal is later teleported alongside Mileena to a random arena, containing black quicksand and a statue of Shao Kahn. After the two notice Cole Young, Kabal turns around to notice Liu Kang. Mileena engages Cole while Kabal engages Liu Kang, utilizing his speed and hook-swords like before, only this time Liu Kang proves to be more of a match then before. Liu Kang manages to score several hits, even causing Kabal to drop one of his hook-swords. Liu Kang pins Kabal in an armlock, trying to burn him alive but Kabal breaks free, turning around and slashing Liu Kang's forearms. Kabal taunts Liu Kang before being overwhelmed by Liu Kang's bicycle kick which launches him into the black quicksand.
Kabal raises himself back up but notices that his legs are stuck; he cleaves at the quicksand with his hook-sword, trying to free himself while Liu Kang plunges his flaming fist to the ground, forming a streak of fire that spreads towards Kabal. A flaming dragon emerges from the streak and stares down at Kabal. Kabal crosses his left arm with his hook-sword at a last ditch effort to protect himself from the inevitable attack, as the dragon conjures up skeletal wings before plunging itself at him. The dragon bites down and sets Kabal a blaze. In his final moments of life, Kabal flails in pain and agony before succumbing to his wounds and collapsing into the quicksand.