The film is directed by Kenji Tanigaki, known for his action directing in the Rurouni Kenshin live-action films. It stars Xie Miao as Wang Wei, a tradesman who will fight his way to save his kidnapped daughter. Joe Taslim portrays Navin, a journalist also on the hunt for the criminal organization.

“Last decade, I got lucky to be part of such an amazing action project called The Raid, and it changed how people watch action movies,” Taslim tells Nerd Reactor. “And now this decade, 2020 to 2030, in The Furious, I know for sure this movie is a game-changer as well. I’m part of it as well. Well, I can’t complain. This has been an amazing two decades, and to be a part of the movies that really changed the game of people watching action movies.”

Brian Le is a rising martial arts star who has appeared in Everything Everywhere All at Once opposite Michelle Yeoh. In The Furious, he is a tough henchman who will give Wang and Navin a tough time.

“I found it very beautiful,” Le said. “I think it’s a very special case where all the cast themselves have 20+ years of martial arts experience as well as action filmmaking experience. Within the rehearsal rooms, on camera, off camera, we actually spent a lot of time together, and we actually became friends. We actually became brothers.”

Joey Iwanaga, who can be seen in Alice in Borderland and the upcoming live-action Blue Lock film, is a villain who is trying to move up in the world.

“The first thing [Director Kenji] told me was that we want to make this the best action movie in history,” Iwanaga recalled. “When I first got the call from him, I was like, ‘Really? Like me? Are you sure?’ Because I’m the young guy in this team and I just had to give it my all.”

About The Furious

Synopsis: After the daughter of Wang Wei (Xie Miao) is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out on a rampage to find her himself. His only ally is Navin (Joe Taslim) – a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly fights against the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.

The film is directed by Kenji Tanigaki and written by Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin and Frank Hui. It’s produced by Bill Kong, Shan Tam and Frank Hui.

The cast includes Xie Miao, Joe Taslim, Yang Enyou, Brian Le, Joey Iwanaga, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Manatsanun Phanlerdwongsakul, Guo Junqing, Winai Wiangyangkung, Yayan Ruhian and Jija Yanin.

The Furious releases in theaters on June 12, 2026.

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Waller is a fan of The Raid films and of Iko Uwais, the main character of the two films. The latter would later be cast in Western films such as Expend4bles, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Snake Eyes.

“Inspiration is all over the place, to be honest,” Waller tells Nerd Reactor. “I mean, The Raid elements are just obvious because it’s all of Uwais’ team. The entire cast outside of Shogen is basically Uwais’ stunt team. But yeah, my influences are anywhere from The Black Stallion, which was a shipwreck movie. First half of it, he’s by himself with just a horse. And the second half of it is a horse racing movie. So it’s two halves. I liked that dynamic.

“Then films like Sword of Doom and Harakiri. I know that there were people who have said references to like Apocalypto, but I think that’s really only because you have cannibals and vicious primitives running through the jungle type thing. My God, I can pull from so many inspirations. It would take up the whole interview.”

The difference in styles from the cannibals to Shogen’s samurai is apparent, and it was encouraged by the director to think outside the box.

“Josh encouraged me to move away from the traditional cliche image of samurai combat,” Shogen said. “While keeping with the spirit of sword action, I just embraced the distinctive choreography created by Uwais’ team. And when I first read the script, I thought it was simply about surviving against the enemies. But through rehearsals with Uwais’ team, I came to realize it was more than that. A way of communicating beyond words. And perhaps because we had gone through such intense training together. During the fight scene with them, I even felt a deep sense of respect and gratitude towards them.

Lone Samurai is now available digitally on Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play Movies & TV.

The post Lone Samurai Director on Channeling The Raid and Redefining Samurai Combat (Interview) appeared first on Nerd Reactor.

Set in the heart of Jakarta, the film follows an elite SWAT team’s mission to infiltrate a high-rise building run by a ruthless crime lord. With limited resources and overwhelming odds, the team must navigate a maze of danger and deception. It’s a race against time and survival, where every floor presents a new challenge. All this culminates in a swarm of heart-stopping action sequences.

That is to say, The Raid: Redemption is a masterclass in action choreography. Each fight sequence is a symphony of brutality and grace, showcasing the Indonesian martial art of Pencak Silat. The relentless nature of these sequences keeps you on the edge of your seat, making The Raid an unforgettable experience for action lovers. Also, the close-quarter combat scenes are mesmerizing, displaying a blend of speed, power, and precision. Cinematographers Matt Flannery and Dimas Imam Subhono capture every bone-crushing hit and agile movement, immersing the audience in the relentless pace of the battles. Watch the hallway fight scene if you want a perfect example of this. It’s thrilling and artistically executed, elevating it beyond mere action into cinematic art. 

The movie isn’t just about style; The Raid also has some substance — the dramatic stakes are also at play here. Each scene intensifies the peril, with the protagonist facing increasingly formidable foes in a claustrophobic environment. The film cleverly uses its limited setting to heighten tension, transforming the building into a character itself — an obstacle course of traps, challenges, and foes. This ingenious use of space amplifies the action, making each encounter a physical battle and a strategic play for survival.

While primarily action-driven, The Raid doesn’t skimp on performances. Iko Uwais delivers physically and emotionally, portraying a compelling hero with determination and vulnerability. Though limited in character development, the supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, making each character’s struggle in this high-stakes environment feel genuine and urgent.

Overall, The Raid: Redemption is a groundbreaking action film, setting a high bar for the genre. It’s a must-watch for action enthusiasts and those who appreciate movies that push the envelope.

Movie Review: 5/5 atoms

Video

The Raid: Redemption hits Ultra HD Blu-ray with an upscaled 4K, HEVC / H.265, Dolby Vision/HDR10 presentation with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The Ultra HD Blu-ray release of The Raid: Redemption presents a significant upgrade in video quality over its Blu-ray predecessor. Scenes are illuminated with a brightness that adds depth without any issues. At the same time, black levels are notably deeper, ensuring darker scenes retain detail and texture. With the film’s limited and mostly mute color palette, Dolby Vision can’t showcase its power.

Nevertheless, the colors that do appear on-screen look more vibrant and accurate, adding to the film’s intense aesthetic. Additionally, the clarity of detail is remarkably improved. Every sweat droplet, facial expression, and intricate background detail is rendered stunningly sharp. Film grain is present but handled carefully, preserving the film’s original texture without becoming distracting. 

Video Review: 4.5/5 atoms

Audio

The Raid: Redemption hits Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos or a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio presentation if Atmos is not supported. This review will cover the Blu-ray’s Dolby Atmos mix. While The Raid: Redemption‘s Dolby Atmos mix on Ultra HD Blu-ray might sound like an immersive feast for the ears, it’s more of a front-loaded mix. It’s not all that surprising since most of the film’s action takes place front and center. Thus, it doesn’t allow for any sense of dynamic sound because that’s how the movie is. Regardless, the object placement is precise — aligning perfectly with the on-screen events, putting you in the middle of the action.

Also, the mix utilizes overhead effects effectively, particularly in scenes with intense action, adding a dome-like layer of depth and immersion that is especially noticeable in a home theater setup. The atmospherics are also well-crafted, with background noises and subtle sound details contributing significantly to the movie’s tense atmosphere. Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese’s musical score is another highlight. It’s crisp, dynamic, and perfectly balanced with the rest of the audio. Dialogue is crystal clear, ensuring that every line, even amidst chaotic fight scenes, is easily discernible. The subwoofer performance is robust and impactful. The low-frequency effects deliver a power that adds dimension to the action sequences, making every punch and explosion more intense.

Audio Review: 4/5 atoms

Special Features

The Raid: Redemption doesn’t have any bonus features on the Ultra HD disc. However, the following bonus features can be found on the HD Blu-ray disc:

• Commentary with Gareth Evans
• Behind-the-Scenes Video Blogs
• Inside the Score
• In Conversation with Gareth Evans and Mike Shinoda
• An Evening with Gareth Evans, Mike Shinoda, and Joe Trapanese
• Behind the Music with Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese
• Anatomy of a Scene with Gareth Evans
• Claycat’s The Raid
• The Raid TV Show Ad (circa 1994)

Features Assessment

The director’s commentary offers sharp insights, delving into the movie’s creative process and sharing fascinating behind-the-scenes stories. Video Blogs give a raw and unfiltered look into the making of the film, showcasing the intense preparation and dedication that went into the action sequences. 

Next, the following features focus heavily on the movie’s composers, Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and Joe Trapanese. With Inside the Score, the feature offers an intriguing exploration of the film’s impactful score. At the same time, In Conversation reveals the collaborative process behind the film’s killer soundtrack. An Evening is an engaging session with the film’s vital creative minds, offering fans an intimate glimpse into their artistic synergy and shared vision for the movie. Behind the Music delves deeper into the musical aspect of the film, with Shinoda and Trapanese discussing their approach to crafting a score that elevates the film’s intense atmosphere.

Anatomy of a Scene breaks down key scenes, providing an in-depth look at the cinematic techniques and storytelling strategies employed in the film. Claycat’s The Raid is a unique and amusing claymation version of the film, offering a light-hearted and creative reinterpretation of the intense action. Finally, the TV Show ad is a nostalgic and entertaining TV ad that captures the essence of the movie in a classic 90s style.

Finally, this limited-edition steelbook packaging pays homage to the film’s iconic imagery, featuring key imagery of Rama in the back and the film’s key art in the front. The design captures the essence of the movie in a beautiful, matte metallic finish.

Special Features Review: 3/5 atoms

Overall, The Raid: Redemption is a groundbreaking action film, and it’s still one of the best action films since its debut thirteen years ago. Additionally, the video and audio quality surpasses the Blu-ray version, making it a must-have for fans of the film. Unfortunately, there aren’t any new bonus features included in this release.

Overall Review: 4/5 atoms

The Raid: Redemption hits stores on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on January 16th.

This Blu-ray was provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for review purposes.

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