‘The Furious’: A Martial-Arts Masterpiece
When it comes to great action films, the recipe for success often boils down to simple but poignant premises, strong action, and likeable characters. Fall short on any of these aspects, and an action film runs the risk of simply being an expendable time, with little to say beyond pure spectacle. There are exceptions to this, and The Furious is very nearly one of those. It certainly is light on true depth and substance but makes up for it with action sequences that are truly the decade’s very best and surprisingly strong commentary.
The Furious is an English-language Hong Kong action film, directed by Kenji Tanigaki, with a screenplay written by Mak Tin-shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan-sin, and Frank Hui. The film premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, September 6, 2025, and was released theatrically on Friday, June 12, 2026. The film follows Wang Wei, played by Xie Miao, a mysterious mute tradesman whose daughter Rainy, played by Yan Enyou, is kidnapped by a criminal empire. He teams up with Navin, played by Joe Taslim, a journalist who is searching for his wife, and the pair end up fighting for their lives.
To start with the plot, it is definitely simple. There is little in the way of unpredictability, and what there is simply serves as a means to get from one insane action sequence to another. It is the definition of serviceable. The antagonists themselves are all fairly one-dimensional, but the cast’s performance them easily memorable.
That being said, the film is very well-paced, with a good amount of downtime between action scenes to give the characters moments to breathe and interact. The central dynamic between Wang Wei and Navin is a lot of fun, with the two playing off each other well. Both appear different on the surface; one seemingly a blunt instrument of violence with little care beyond his objective, and the other is the intelligent, investigative journalist with a wider perspective. But the film plays with this, at times reversing the roles in certain situations.
Perhaps the only true weakness in the plot is a subplot involving Rainy and other kidnapped children. It often feels like a distraction whenever the film cuts back to them, and there is little to be interested in. The writers clearly felt the same way, as this plot is done away with quickly. This does, however, bring up a unique facet of the story, that being its commentary on class. The criminal organization in question is known for targeting children from poor neighborhoods, and has its hands in law enforcement, and is run by rich businessmen. While it is not necessarily complex, the film does well to include just enough to stand out from its peers.
The performances are all excellent across the board, with Xie Miao as Wang We being the standout. The character is mute, so Miao has to get across all the nuances and quirks with just his facial expressions and body language. He manages to make Wang Wei likeable, and the audience can easily get invested in his struggles, meaning every action sequence is full of jeopardy. Both he and Navin have something to fight for, and thus there is tension throughout every visceral battle. Every supporting cast member really brings their best, ensuring their characters stand out despite some getting little screen time. Yan Enyou as Rainy is another standout, giving a strong performance and even getting involved in a few action beats. It is a good surprise and showcases the film’s ability to subvert certain tropes, as one would often expect the daughter to play little role in a film’s big set piece.
Speaking of those battles, they are spectacular. The work on display is truly staggering, with the cast and stunt people giving 100% to every sequence. Each one is unique, whether it be in terms of setting, fighting style, the weaponry used, or the stakes. From mass brawls, to charging vehicles to a simple, final confrontation that pushes the characters to their bloody limit, every moment is dripping with creativity. The sound design is visceral, the choreography never looks fake and always changes things up, and the cinematography and editing keep everything visible. It is never disorienting, no matter how many people are thrown into the carnage. The action in this film, on a technical front, is nothing short of masterful filmmaking. It is some of the best anyone will ever see in the genre.
And the excellence does not stop there. Like the very best action films, there is character and substance in every sequence. The fighting styles of characters speak; the split-second decisions they make in the heat of battle, all of it speaks to who they are. Often action films push style over substance, but The Furious manages to slip in substance among its style. It is a remarkable achievement from everyone involved.
Overall, The Furious is a masterpiece of an action film. It is a short, punchy, and exhilarating thrill ride with more substance than what is often expected of this genre. The action is some of the best seen this decade and is a staggering achievement for the entire cast and crew. It is one of the best films of the year, and any action fan would be remiss not to see it.