Jonathan Sim
There are action movies that strive for complexity, and then there are action movies that understand exactly what audiences came to see. The Furious falls firmly into the latter category, delivering an old-school, all-killer-no-filler martial arts spectacle packed with brutal fights, bone-crunching violence, and some of the most exhilarating action choreography you’ll see all year.
If you’re a fan of films like The Raid, where a simple premise exists primarily to move audiences from one incredible fight sequence to the next, then The Furious is absolutely your kind of movie. This is a film that knows its strengths and never pretends to be anything else. It gives viewers a straightforward story, puts a collection of elite martial artists on screen together, and then lets them tear each other apart for nearly two hours.
The story follows a mute protagonist played by Xie Miao, whose daughter is kidnapped by a ruthless criminal organization. Determined to save her, he embarks on a relentless path of vengeance through the criminal underworld. This is hardly a revolutionary premise. The kidnapped loved one has served as the inciting incident for countless action films, from Taken to A Working Man. We’ve seen variations of this story many times before, but that’s not really the point.
The plot functions as a vehicle for the action, and that’s perfectly okay. There isn’t a complicated mystery to unravel or a series of twists waiting around every corner. Instead, we have a father with a singular goal, driven by desperation, anger, and love. His mission is clear from the beginning, and the movie never loses sight of it. Sometimes simplicity can be a virtue, especially when it allows a film to focus entirely on delivering what audiences came for.
One of the film’s strongest additions is Navin, played by Joe Taslim. Like Xie Miao’s character, Navin has suffered a devastating loss at the hands of the criminal empire and is pursuing his own form of justice. The two men eventually form an alliance, creating a dynamic that feels reminiscent of classic heroic partnerships from action cinema. Together, they cut a bloody path through wave after wave of villains, and their shared determination gives the film an emotional backbone that helps elevate it beyond a simple collection of fight scenes.
It’s also fantastic to see Joe Taslim being utilized to his full potential. While many Western audiences may recognize him from recent Hollywood projects such as Mortal Kombat 2, those films only scratch the surface of what he can do as a martial artist. Here, Taslim gets the opportunity to truly showcase his skills, and every fight sequence reminds viewers why he remains one of the most exciting action performers working today.
For fans of The Raid, The Furious offers another welcome reunion. Alongside Taslim is Yayan Ruhian, forever remembered by action fans as the terrifying Mad Dog from The Raid. Ruhian once again proves why he’s one of the most memorable screen fighters of his generation. This time, he plays a ruthless villain armed with a bow and arrow, bringing a different style of threat while maintaining the same intimidating presence that made him such a standout in Gareth Evans’ masterpiece.
What truly makes The Furious work, however, is its action. The fight choreography is spectacular from beginning to end. Every encounter feels designed to push the characters to their physical limits. Fists fly, bones crack, weapons are improvised, and yes, plenty of people get hit with hammers. The film embraces its brutality with enthusiasm, creating a visceral experience that never loses momentum.
The stunt work deserves particular praise. There is a raw physicality to these fights that makes every punch feel painful and every victory feel earned. Rather than relying on excessive editing or shaky camerawork, the film allows audiences to appreciate the athleticism and skill of its performers. It’s a reminder of how thrilling action cinema can be when filmmakers trust their stunt teams and martial artists to carry the scene.
There is one major villain who spends much of the first half lurking in the background, which initially makes him feel somewhat underdeveloped. However, when the film finally shifts its focus toward him and establishes him as a true threat, the payoff is worth the wait. He emerges as a formidable opposing force capable of standing toe-to-toe with our heroes, giving the final act the sense of danger and escalation it needs.
The Furious is a reminder of why audiences fell in love with action movies in the first place. It’s violent, relentless, and packed with spectacular fight sequences performed by martial artists at the top of their game. It offers just enough character development to make viewers care while never forgetting that its primary mission is to entertain. If you love films like The Raid or John Woo’s The Killer, where determined heroes carve their way through armies of villains in pursuit of justice, then The Furious delivers exactly what you’re looking for.
SCORE: ★★★
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