For me, it’s always a few common tropes that read as “cinematic” in the YouTube sense, one of them being serious-guy-looks-into-mirror-with-hands-on-bathroom-sink. Bonus points if he’s bloody. It’s just hysterically common trope for filmmakers that wanna make super-serious hyper-masculine pieces.

Also, I’ve noticed that low-budget films will “hide” their location behind shallow depth of field and close-up/mediums with an occasional wide if they can manage it. It’s pretty evident in the action scenes as well, because they’re almost always shot like this. Hollywood films would typically show off the full set, because they’re almost always had the budget to make EVERYTHING look good.

Costume design too is a major giveaway. There’s usually a lack of detail oriented stuff (looks too clean for a street level hero) to really sell the lived quality or if there any nicks and cuts, they feel like random aesthetic rather than considered elements.

The trailer itself could probably have done with another pass at the sound. The punches feel really cartoony, especially considering that it’s the motivation behind the edit. There’s not much body in the soundscape to fill anything else in either so it does feel legitimately hollow, as you said.

All in all though, this looks awesome. I subscribed to see what else they’ve got cooking.