It is impossible to discuss global action cinema without mentioning Gareth Evans’ The Raid (2011). Although directed by a Welshman, the film is undeniably Indonesian in soul, cast, and location. It launched Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim into international stardom and put pencak silat (Indonesian martial arts) on the map. Since then, the action genre has exploded with films like The Night Comes for Us and Headshot , offering visceral, bone-crunching choreography that rivals and often surpasses Hollywood.
It is impossible to discuss global action cinema without mentioning Gareth Evans’ The Raid (2011). Although directed by a Welshman, the film is undeniably Indonesian in soul, cast, and location. It launched Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim into international stardom and put pencak silat (Indonesian martial arts) on the map. Since then, the action genre has exploded with films like The Night Comes for Us and Headshot , offering visceral, bone-crunching choreography that rivals and often surpasses Hollywood.


