The action movie The Furious has become one of the most talked-about films of 2026. Director Kenji Tanigaki, known for his work on John Wick: Chapter 4, brought together some of Asia’s best martial artists for this revenge thriller. The film hit theaters in May 2026 and quickly earned a 98% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now available on digital platforms from July 7, 2026, audiences everywhere can watch this action-packed movie at home.
The story follows Wang Wei (Xie Miao), a mute tradesman whose daughter gets kidnapped by a criminal network. With no help from corrupt police, he teams up with a journalist to rescue her. What makes this film stand out is its cast of real martial artists who perform their own stunts. Here is a complete guide to the stars of The Furious.
Xie Miao Leads the Cast as Wang Wei
Xie Miao, also known as Mo Tse, plays the lead role of Wang Wei in The Furious. He is a Chinese actor and martial artist from Beijing who started his career as a child actor. Many Hong Kong action fans remember him from the 1990s when he starred alongside Jet Li in The New Legend of Shaolin and My Father Is a Hero.
After stepping away from acting for some time, Xie Miao returned to the screen and rebuilt his career. He appeared in projects like The Thousand Faces of Dunjia and Eye for an Eye. In The Furious, his character cannot speak, so he relies entirely on body language and facial expressions to show his anger and determination. This makes his performance even more impressive as he fights through waves of enemies without saying a word.
Joe Taslim Plays the Journalist Navin
Joe Taslim, the Indonesian actor and former national judo champion, takes on the role of Navin in The Furious. Navin is a journalist who becomes Wang Wei’s ally while searching for his missing wife. Taslim won a gold medal at the 1999 Southeast Asian Judo Championships before becoming an actor.
He first gained worldwide attention as Jaka in the Indonesian action film The Raid. Since then, he has appeared in Hollywood movies like Fast & Furious 6, Star Trek Beyond, and played Sub-Zero in Mortal Kombat (2021). With The Furious, Taslim now holds his highest audience score on Rotten Tomatoes at 96% , beating his previous record from The Raid.
Yayan Ruhian Returns as the Villain Tak
Yayan Ruhian, another The Raid veteran, joins the cast as Tak in The Furious. He plays the second-in-command to the main villain and serves as a henchman who uses a bow and arrow as his weapon. Ruhian is known for his work in The Raid and The Raid 2, where he played the unforgettable Mad Dog character. He also appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. His fighting style in the film comes from Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art.
Jija Yanin Brings Her Fighting Skills as Matia Pham
Thai actress and martial artist Yanin Vismitananda, known as Jija Yanin, plays Matia Pham in The Furious. Matia is an investigative journalist trying to uncover a child trafficking syndicate. Jija Yanin became famous for her lead role in the 2008 Thai action film Chocolate. She also appeared in Triple Threat alongside other martial arts stars. Her character goes missing early in the film, which drives the plot forward as her husband Navin searches for her.
Brian Le Plays the Henchman Ho
Brian Le appears as Ho, a henchman working for the criminal syndicate in The Furious. He is an action choreographer and martial artist who has worked on major Hollywood productions. Le appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Everything Everywhere All at Once. In the film, his character is known for his brutal fighting style and takes on multiple opponents at once.
Joey Iwanaga Takes on the Role of Paklung
Japanese-American actor Joey Iwanaga plays Paklung, the main villain of The Furious. Paklung is the sociopathic son-in-law of a powerful gangster and leads the child trafficking syndicate. Iwanaga made his acting debut at age 16 and has appeared in Alice in Borderland and Rurouni Kenshin: The Final. His character brings a full-contact Kyokushin karate style to the film’s action sequences.
Yang Enyou Portrays Rainy, Wang Wei’s Daughter
Yang Enyou plays Rainy, the kidnapped daughter of Wang Wei. This role serves as the emotional core of the film, as her kidnapping drives her father to seek revenge. Yang Enyou previously appeared in Eye for an Eye 2.
Other Cast Members
The Furious also features several other notable actors in supporting roles. Sahajak Boonthanakit appears in the film, along with Mimi Chu and Manatsanun Phanlerdwongsakul. The cast also includes Mak Tin Shu, Lei Zhilong, Shum Kwan Sin, Frank Hui, Guo Junqing, and Winai Wiangyangkung. Many of these actors also worked on the film’s script alongside their acting duties.
Director Kenji Tanigaki Brings Action Experience
Director Kenji Tanigaki is a Japanese action choreographer, stunt performer, and film director who has worked on some of the biggest action movies of the past decade. He served as the action choreographer for John Wick: Chapter 4 and the Rurouni Kenshin franchise. His experience in Hong Kong action cinema includes projects like Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.
Tanigaki brought together a cast of martial artists who each specialize in different fighting styles. The film features kung fu, combat judo, tricking, taekwondo, full-contact kyokushin karate, and pencak silat. This mix of styles makes each fight sequence feel fresh and different from the last.
Film Release and Reception
The Furious premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, where it won runner-up for the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness category. The film had its theatrical release in the United States on May 29, 2026. It was produced by Hong Kong’s Edko Films, American XYZ Films, and Zhejiang Hengdian Film Production.
The movie holds a 98% Tomatometer score and a 95% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the film’s action sequences, with many calling it one of the best action movies of the decade. Made on a budget of $20 million, The Furious earned over $32 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
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Digital Release Details
The Furious became available for digital rental and purchase on July 7, 2026. Viewers can watch the film on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV. The film is an English-language movie despite being filmed in Hong Kong. It is rated R for its intense violence and action sequences.
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