THE FURIOUS -- A Brutal and Thrilling Martial Arts Spectacle

Review by Chadd Clubine

If you grew up on action-packed martial arts movies in the 2010s, chances are you came across The Raid: Redemption and its acclaimed sequel, The Raid 2—two films that remain modern love letters to the genre. Fortunately, two actors from that franchise headline The Furious, making comparisons to The Raid almost inevitable. It has been 12 years since the last Raid film was released, and since then, many standout martial arts movies have flown under the radar, whether buried on streaming services or denied a proper U.S. theatrical release. The Furious breathes new life into the genre, finding a clever way to appeal to American audiences, even if some of its choices can feel a little tacky.

The story is arguably the film’s weakest element, but it’s easy to forgive when such an exhilarating action spectacle unfolds on screen. In many ways, the premise feels like something straight out of a Jason Statham vehicle, though it also serves as a reminder of how films in that mold can be elevated with the right execution. There are plenty of narrative beats that don’t entirely hold up under scrutiny, particularly when certain character motivations lack the development needed to make them convincing. What ultimately carries the film, however, is not just its expertly crafted action, but its larger-than-life sense of cheesy fun—a quality that embraces and honors the genre traditions that came before it.

While many viewers may be more familiar with the supporting character played by Joe Taslim, Xie Miao firmly takes center stage as the film’s protagonist. Despite never speaking a single word throughout the entire film, his character remains compelling and expressive. Whether his silence stems from a disability or a personal choice is never explicitly explained, but that ambiguity ultimately matters less than the emotional weight Xie brings to the role. Through his physical performance and dramatic presence, he becomes an effortlessly sympathetic hero and an easy character to root for. Paired with Joe Taslim, the two form a dynamic duo whose chemistry and combat prowess make them feel like an unstoppable force whenever they share the screen.

The action is the primary reason to see a film like this, and The Furious delivers in spectacular fashion. Few American action movies can match the impact, intensity, or creativity on display here, with every fight feeling visceral and every set piece designed to leave an impression. Just when it seems like the film has exhausted its arsenal, it finds inventive new ways to escalate the chaos, culminating in a wildly unpredictable third act. While some sequences can feel a bit excessive or repetitive, the relentless energy and adrenaline-fueled pacing make it nearly impossible to look away. The film maintains a genuine sense of danger throughout, as no character ever feels truly safe and the brutality of the carnage is felt in every blow.

For a film like this to succeed, it needs to immerse the audience in the action, and the camerawork does exactly that. The camera feels like a character in its own right, weaving through the chaos and placing viewers directly alongside the fighters. Combined with sharp sound design that emphasizes every impact, crack, and painful blow, the film effectively conveys the physical toll endured by its characters. The score, however, is less successful. While the rock-infused riffs occasionally enhance the film’s energy, they can also make certain sequences feel more like a video game than a cinematic experience. More importantly, the music lacks the distinctive identity that helped define films like The Raid and The Raid 2. Rather than elevating the action or reinforcing the film’s personality, the score often feels generic and, at times, leans too heavily into the onscreen absurdity instead of grounding it.

The film also takes an interesting approach to its dialogue. Despite being an international production, much of the spoken dialogue is presented in English, a choice that appears designed to make the film more accessible to U.S. audiences. It’s an understandable decision, but one that can occasionally feel distracting. The lip-syncing is seamless, and even elements such as newspapers and on-screen headlines are presented in English, creating the impression that the entire world of the film naturally operates in the language. At times, however, the presentation is so polished that it almost feels as though the film has been expertly dubbed rather than performed in English from the outset. While the approach undoubtedly broadens the film’s appeal, its commitment to English-language accessibility can sometimes come across as more conspicuous and over-the-top than necessary.
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Overall, The Furious is a nonstop thrill ride packed with bone-crunching fights and relentlessly entertaining action. While its story often plays things safe, the film more than compensates with its willingness to embrace larger-than-life spectacle and unapologetic absurdity. As the chaos escalates, many of the narrative shortcomings fade into the background, overshadowed by the sheer excitement unfolding on screen. For fans of martial arts cinema, The Furious is not to be missed. It feels like a genuine resurgence for the genre—a reminder of how exhilarating these films can be, especially when experienced on the big screen.

The Furious releases in theaters June 12th!

RATING: 4/5