Kenji Tanigaki’s 'The Furious' is a high-octane Hong Kong action film that prioritizes physical storytelling over narrative depth. With a minimal plot centered on a father’s quest to rescue his daughter from traffickers in Southeast Asia, the film channels its energy into meticulously choreographed combat sequences by action director Kensuke Sonomura. Starring Chinese martial artist Xie Miao and Indonesian actor Joe Taslim, the movie thrives on practical stunts, inventive use of everyday objects as weapons, and a visceral, grounded style of hand-to-hand combat.

Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness section, where it placed second in the People’s Choice Award, 'The Furious' has been acquired by Lionsgate for global distribution. The film blends Mandarin, Thai, Tagalog, and dubbed English dialogue, aiming for cult crossover appeal with its unrelenting pace and flamboyant violence.

While it shares producer Bill Kong with 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' 'The Furious' rejects poetic elegance in favor of raw, angular physicality—limbs twist at painful angles, fighters use ladders and bicycles as weapons, and bodies absorb brutal punishment. Shot with slick, high-contrast visuals by cinematographer Meteor Cheung and scored with grinding guitars, the film carves a distinct space in the modern martial arts landscape.