‘The Furious’ Hailed as Decade’s Best Action Film by Critics

Kenji Tanigaki’s Hong Kong action thriller The Furious has ignited widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers lauding its breathtaking stunt choreography and calling it the finest action film of the year—and possibly the decade. The film, which premiered in its international cut in markets including India, has drawn comparisons to the golden age of Asian action cinema from the 1980s and 1990s.

Set in an unnamed Southeast Asian city, The Furious centers on Wang Wei (Xie Miao), a mute Chinese immigrant and widowed handyman who embarks on a relentless quest to rescue his kidnapped young daughter Rainy (Yang Enzou). He is joined by journalist Navin (Joe Taslim), who is investigating the same child-trafficking ring in search of his missing girlfriend.

Critics have universally praised the film’s raw, vicious, and exquisitely executed action sequences, enhanced by Meteor Cheung’s camerawork and Chris Tonick’s editing. The climactic three-way fight inside a police station is frequently highlighted as the film’s peak, delivering a visceral impact that leaves audiences breathless.

While the plot has been described as generic and “Taken-coded,” with few surprises and a predictable outcome, reviewers note that the film’s inventive choreography more than compensates. Unlike Liam Neeson’s Bryan Mills, Wang Wei’s past remains largely mysterious—revealed only through scars and references to a head injury—making his exceptional martial arts skills an unexplained but thrilling element.

The Furious is known to have two versions: a Chinese cut that gives slightly more depth to Wang’s character and includes a sequel tease, and an international cut that omits that hint. Both versions, however, share the same core narrative and relentless action.