THE FURIOUS (2026) Review | Greatest Action Film of the 21st Century!

Engaging Recap (Non-Spoiler)

The reviewer hypes The Furious as an action-driven triumph—especially because it’s Kenji Tanigaki’s first feature as a director, after years as an action choreographer. The pitch is simple but effective: the story exists to power nonstop mayhem, not to impress with complex dialogue.

Main Plot Setup

• Wang Wei (Iko Uwais) is a mute handyman and father.
• His daughter Rainey is kidnapped by a child trafficking ring.
• He tries the police, but they’re corrupt, so he climbs the criminal ladder fight by fight to dismantle the operation.
• He eventually teams up with Navin (Joe Taslim), a journalist whose wife vanished after getting too close to the same network.
• Together, they decide to burn the whole scheme down.

What Makes It Stand Out (Big Highlights)

• The reviewer praises the fight choreography as action where “you can see what they’re doing”—with no shaky cam and no frantic editing used to hide impact.
• Every hit is shown with weight and consequence, making the choreography feel physical and emotionally grounded.
• A standout early set piece takes place in a cold storage facility, described as a masterclass in blending action with character storytelling.
• The film is said to draw inspiration from Bruce Lee’s legacy, giving it a sense of cinematic history rather than modern imitation.

Acting and Character “Who Stole the Scene” Moments

• Ji Miao impresses as Wong Wei, conveying rage and determination almost entirely through sign language, body language, and physical action—making the fights feel personally urgent, not just flashy.
• Joe Taslim brings trademark intensity, and his judo background is noted as making his fighting style distinct from Uwais’s wushu.
• Yayan Ruhian is singled out for looking dangerously lethal and adding variety—especially with his signature style (the reviewer jokes it’ll change how you view something like a bow and arrow afterward).
• Brian Lee is called the clear scene-stealer, with a weapon-based approach featuring a massive hammer, plus humorous moments that land well. The reviewer describes it as star-making and wants him used even more.

Jokes / Reactions / Tone

• The review repeatedly contrasts The Furious with modern action trends: it doesn’t rely on world-building as a crutch, and it isn’t style-only copying.
• The tone is admiring and hype-heavy, with lines like feeling “locked in” and like you want to “run through a brick wall” alongside the characters.
• The only notable “complaint” is that the story isn’t deep or dialogue-heavy—but the reviewer frames that as intentional design.

Final Verdict

Not a “narrative complexity” movie, the reviewer says—but if you want practical, grounded, emotionally invested martial arts action with real stunts and performers at peak physical performance, The Furious is presented as one of the best in its category—and best experienced in theaters.

Main Personalities Mentioned

• John Rocha (reviewer/host)
• Kenji Tanigaki (director; also action designer)
• Iko Uwais (Wang Wei)
• Joe Taslim (Navin)
• Ji Miao (Wong Wei)
• Yayan Ruhian
• Joey Winata (richer villain/gangster family angle)
• Anu Ying (Rainey)
• Brian Lee
• Kensuke Sonomura (fight choreographer)
• Young Aryo (cast mentioned)
• Wang Wei / Rainey / Navin (primary characters)