‘The Furious’ Is the Must-See English-Language Hong Kong Action Film

If you’ve been yearning for a no-holds-barred martial arts spectacle that truly delivers, ‘The Furious’ has arrived at the perfect moment. This English-language Hong Kong action film, directed by Kenji Tanigaki and written by Mak Tin-shu, follows an ordinary tradesman named Wei whose daughter is kidnapped, leading him to form an unlikely alliance with a journalist named Navin as they confront a criminal empire.

For action fans wondering if it lives up to the hype, the answer is a resounding yes. ‘The Furious’ is primarily an English-language film, featuring Chinese and Thai dialogue with subtitles, and runs for a tight 114 minutes. Its genuinely international production is arguably its greatest strength, showcasing pan-Asian ambition.

The film’s production budget was reported to be around $20 million, financed by Edko Films and primarily shot in Thailand. This expansive scope is evident in every frame, and the choice to anchor the film in English was clearly a strategic move to attract a wider audience.

Lionsgate acquired the international distribution rights after a successful fall festival run, where it secured second place in the People’s Choice voting at Toronto’s Midnight Madness section. Such recognition is a significant validation for a film in this genre.

Bill Kong, known for producing ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ ‘Hero,’ and ‘House of Flying Daggers,’ collaborated with XYZ Films early in the development process with the ambitious goal of creating the definitive martial arts action film of the past decade. Critics who have seen the final product are taking this claim seriously.

Despite its serious themes and intense action, ‘The Furious’ distinguishes itself from many of its peers with a playful sense of humor, blurring the line between violence and slapstick in a way that recalls the wild tone of Category III films from the golden age of Hong Kong cinema.

Leading the cast is Joe Taslim, portraying Navin, a determined journalist investigating a perilous criminal network while dealing with his own personal tragedy. Taslim, renowned for his roles in ‘The Raid,’ ‘Mortal Kombat,’ and ‘Star Trek Beyond,’ is a perfect fit for this action-heavy character.

Xie Miao delivers a powerful, largely wordless performance as a father pushed to his limits, showcasing quiet rage and relentless determination that adds emotional depth to the action. Their dynamic is one of the film’s most discussed elements.

The ensemble cast also includes martial arts veterans Yayan Ruhian, Jeeja Yanin, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, and Sahajak Boonthanakit, creating one of the most impressive action-film lineups in recent years. With such a talented roster, expectations are understandably high.

As a truly international production, ‘The Furious’ features martial arts performers from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, and the United States, with director Tanigaki, fight choreographer Kensuke Sonomura, and cinematographer Meteor Cheung demonstrating a remarkable level of collaboration.

Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, a Japanese action choreographer-turned-director, ‘The Furious’ showcases his expertise in combat choreography and spatial storytelling. Critics have praised the film as fast-paced, intense, and visually stunning, filled with fight choreography that is hard to describe, labeling it one of the best fight movies of the 21st century. Such acclaim is sure to draw action fans to theaters.

One reviewer noted that while ‘The Furious’ may lack the polish of the best recent South Korean, Chinese, or Indonesian action blockbusters, it compensates with sheer adrenaline and crowd-pleasing ferocity, reminiscent of the old-school action films that were once a staple of Hong Kong cinema.

A DVD and Blu-ray release is anticipated in August, offering fans who missed the theatrical run a chance to catch up at home. However, if the critical consensus holds true, this is a film that deserves to be experienced on the big screen.

‘The Furious’ premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, before its theatrical release in Hong Kong on June 12, 2026. The buzz generated from its festival debut is something that money simply cannot buy.

Tickets to see ‘The Furious’ in the United States are currently available through Fandango, Atom Tickets, Cinemark, Cinepolis Cinemas, Harkins Theatres, and Marcus Theatres. With such wide availability, there’s little excuse not to catch this film.

For those curious about post-credits surprises, there is no end credits scene in ‘The Furious,’ allowing audiences to leave the theater without missing anything. The film is confident enough in its two-hour runtime to forgo a teaser hook.

Having been an official selection at both the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, ‘The Furious’ has established itself as a prestigious action title rather than just another genre flick.

With Hong Kong action cinema making a bold statement with this release, the pressing question remains whether ‘The Furious’ will achieve the cult classic status it clearly aims for. We would love to hear your thoughts on whether this film can restore Hong Kong martial arts cinema to its former glory in global discussions.