By Monica Coman
Follow
Followed
Thread
Link copied to clipboard
Sign in to your CBR account
The action genre continues to improve, and a new addition has been hailed as an "instant masterpiece." After John Wick redefined the neo-noir action genre with its cinematography and choreographed fights, the new film The Furious has completely impressed the critics.
The English-language Hong Kong action film The Furious debuted at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 6. The film received stellar reviews, but it took several days before there were enough opinions for a defined score. Officially, The Furious has debuted with a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score out of 10 reviews.
The movie took everyone by surprise, as it has received no widespread promotion, and it doesn't feature many Hollywood big names. The film comes from action choreographer-turned-director Kenji Tanigaki, and stars legendary action actors like Mo Tse, Joe Taslim, Jeeja Yanin, and Brian Le.
Toisto.net's Joonatan Itkonen praises the action film, noting, "The Furious has one simple goal: to deliver a definitive and all-time great action film, featuring some of the best genre actors working in the business. It is an unconditional, brilliant success." The review concludes, "The Furious is an instant masterpiece. Its most fitting comparisons are Hong Kong action legends of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. In the years to come, it will be regarded as a watershed moment for the genre. See it on the biggest screen possible."
The Verge's Andrew Webster notes, "Each fight sequence is as brutal as it is balletic, and yet there’s an inventiveness and playfulness to it as well. Nearly everything can be part of the choreography, whether it’s duelling with bicycles as if they were swords, or downed foes becoming a human pyramid to climb."
Next Best Picture's Giovanni Lago praises the film, explaining that, "Tanigaki’s film pushes action maximalism to its limit, creating an extravaganza of bloodshed so well-executed that many will be astounded by how it was even pulled off."
What Is The Furious About?
The action thriller doesn't redefine the genre in terms of plot, as it follows a father who would do anything to get his daughter back after she is kidnapped. However, it was its approach that convinced the critics.
The official logline reads, "When his daughter Rainy is snatched off the street, simple tradesman Konggu fights his way through a complex web of criminals and evil agents in a frantic attempt to win her back by any means necessary. Konggu’s only ally is tireless journalist Navin, who has been tracking the criminal syndicate behind Rainy’s disappearance for years while seeking justice for his own lost love."
The synopsis continues, "These two men from completely different backgrounds must learn to trust and collaborate, drawing on combat skills from their own hidden pasts, if they are to have any hope of successfully navigating this foreign landscape to save Rainy from the grip of evil."
The action thriller features veteran producer Bill Kong, who was behind 2000's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and 2020's Mulan. He explained via Variety, "I want to tell the world that we are still alive and we are capable to do even better action movie for the world. It’s been over 10 years since The Raid came out. Where are all the great martial art formations anymore?"
Luckily, Kong could still change the game. He previously teased that The Furious would "rock the world," and his words ring truer than ever.
The Furious doesn't have a theatrical release date yet.
Your Rating
Rate Now 0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Follow
Followed
The Furious
Action
Crime
- Release Date
- September 7, 2025
- Runtime
- 114 Minutes
- Director
- Kenji Tanigaki
- Writers
- Mak Tin-Shu, Frank Hui, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan-sin
- Producers
- Shan Tam, Bill Kong Chi-Keung
Cast
-
Tse Miu
Wang Wei
-
Joe Taslim
Navin
-
Yayan Ruhian
-
JeeJa Yanin
