The Wasteland Reviewer

The Furious (2026) Written Review

Where is one of the greatest sources of action movies in the history of cinema? Asia. China. Japan. Hong Kong. South Korea. Indonesia. Each of these countries has produced some of the most iconic action films in the last few decades. The inclusion of martial arts can elevate an action film to a whole new atmosphere. Having performers who can do their own stunts in camera can make a film so much stronger and more impactful when it comes to the action. Films like The Raid: Redemption and Oldboy have garnered plenty of international praise as their appeal has transcended that part of the world. Lionsgate discovered the next one and has brought Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious to the world’s stage.

What makes The Furious such an impactful and memorable action film? Well…the action! Tanigaki delivers some of the most unhinged and wild action sequences that you have ever seen. Over the course of this film (which is just under two hours long), there are about six action set pieces and each of them feels distinct and offers interesting elements that make them stand out. Hammers. Bow and arrows. Human icicles. Bicycles. You name it, The Furious turns it into a weapon and someone is demolished with it. The choreography is downright outstanding with incredible martial arts and stunts that feel natural and rarely staged. The stunts are not the only standout elements of the action as the camera work is wholly engrossing with so much in-camera action that you get to experience all of it in its glory. This is also a bloody, brutal experience that is downright unrelenting. The music is some pulsating heavy metal guitar work that gives the film dark and ferocious feel to it. The pacing is pitch perfect as things play out in a well-structured way with plenty of energy. This is a heavy, intense, and emotionally resonant experience that will certainly surprise you.

Is The Furious just buckets of unhinged and wild action set pieces? What makes Tanigaki’s film more powerful and elevated is that it has a core story with plenty of empathy, a pair of leading characters with believable and relatable motivations, and some significant thematic work. This is a film about child trafficking and that makes for an easy entry point. You would like to think that almost anyone can get behind our protagonists (one whose daughter was taken and the other whose wife has gone missing investigating these kidnappings). The film also highlights the police corruption and the corporate greed that not only allows things like this to happen but also provides the spark to bring such horrific enterprises to life. Not only does the film deliver a pair of empathetic leads but there are other well-thought-out and unique characters. The kidnapped daughter is not just some damsel in distress. She has bravery, care, and her own martial arts abilities (in her own way). There are even some wild and creative antagonistic characters who make the action sequences even more interesting including a human battering ram (the heavy grunt of this kidnapping ring), a Rambo inspired archer (who is the deadliest hitman for this evil enterprise), a cowboy enthusiast (who runs the daily operations), and an unhinged and psychotic executive who is both spoiled and ambitious. There is surprising depth in this film that is honestly like 80% action.

How does this cast fair in bringing this film to another level? The main protagonist is a mute father who certainly has some kind of deadly past. Miao Xie sells this deadly character with plenty of martial arts skills, but you also feel the love he has for his daughter. Without speech, Xie must sell everything with body language and his eyes, which he accomplishes shockingly well. Mortal Kombat and The Raid alumnus Joe Taslim is the husband to this missing reporter who shows a lot of charisma and cool as he is introduced doing undercover work to infiltrate this criminal enterprise. He is also able to sell martial arts as well as bring plenty of emotion to the search for his missing wife. Young Enyou Yang is so charming and endearing as Rainy (the kidnapped daughter). But besides that, she brings a level of care, strength, and soul to this character who refuses to be a damsel in distress. Brian Le is a force of nature in his role as Ho (the human battering ram) who has plenty of strange little quirks that makes his action sequences and his general presence so memorable. The Raid alumnus Yayan Ruhian is downright terrifying and the deadly henchmen at the side of our primary antagonist. Thai actor Sahajak Boonthanakit is quite the charismatic presence as the cowboy enthusiast who runs the daily operations of this child trafficking ring. The cast is a wonderful addition to an already great action film which helps it rise to the occasion. 

Are you ready for this year’s action movie that will become a classic without a doubt? The Furious matches that title with an unrelenting onslaught of creative, impressive, and bloody action. Brutality is the name of the game in Tanigaki’s new film, and it is quite a thrilling experience to witness it. A strong heart and soul go a long way in elevating the great action into not only a great action film but a great film in general.