The Furious Movie Trailer: Xie Miao & Joe Taslim Action Film

The Furious Movie Trailer Breakdown: Xie Miao and Joe Taslim Lead Lionsgate’s High-Octane Hong Kong Action Thriller

Lionsgate has finally let loose the very first trailer for The Furious, a gritty Hong Kong action flick that’s going to get audiences all fired up – and it’s going to be kicking things into high gear in theaters worldwide come May. Behind the wheel of this cinematic beast is the highly respected stunt master Kenji Tanigaki, who’s promised up a storm when it comes to bone-jarring fight choreography, blow-your-socks-off drama, and a seriously heavyweight ensemble cast that’s an absolute dream team for any martial arts fan.

If you’re into The Raid, Flash Point, or any of the classic Jet Li thrillers, then The Furious movie needs your full attention. This rundown will give you the low down on everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – that’s been revealed in the trailer, from the big name cast and plot details through to release dates and why this is quite possibly going to be 2026’s most electrifying action experience.

Star Power To The Fore

The Xie Miao Story

At the heart of The Furious is the one and only Xie Miao – a martial arts legend most folks will know for his unforgettable team-ups with Jet Li in The New Legend of Shaolin and My Father Is a Hero. After years out of the global spotlight, Xie’s return is a major event for action fans, and it’s the kind of news that’s going to send shockwaves through the martial arts community.

In The Furious, Xie plays Wei, a devoted father whose world is shattered when his little girl is snatched by a ruthless international crime syndicate. His performance promises to bring a real emotional depth to the film, blending the raw vulnerability with the explosive physicality that made him a legend back in the 1990s.

Joe Taslim – The Tactical Partner

Alongside Xie is the hugely talented Indonesian action star Joe Taslim, who you’ll know from his scene-stealing role as Jaka in The Raid films and as Sub-Zero in the Mortal Kombat reboot. Taslim plays Navin, a maverick journalist with a few skeletons in his closet who finds himself unexpectedly teamed up with Wei as they try to rescue the kidnapped kid.

The chemistry between Wei and Navin – a grieving dad and a morally complex reporter – suggests that The Furious will deliver some real action thrills, but it’s also got genuine character development going on – a combination that’s at the heart of the most memorable action flicks out there.

The Rest Of The Cast: Martial Arts Royalty

The cast gets even bigger with the addition of two more standouts from Indonesia’s The Raid franchise:

• Yayan Ruhian – the man behind the explosive Prakoso and Mad Dog – brings his trademark intensity to the crime underworld.
• Yanin Vismitananda, the one and only female action star from Thailand known for Chocolate, Europe Raiders, and Triple Threat, adds her amazing martial arts skills and global appeal to the mix.

This very deliberate casting strategy – bringing together legends from Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Thailand – really positions The Furious as a proper pan-Asian action epic with the potential to reach action fans all over the world.

Plot Breakdown: A Father’s Desperate Mission

At its core, The Furious takes the usual parent-kidnapped-by-criminals concept and turns it into a searing emotional ride: when Wei’s daughter vanishes into the international underworld, he’s forced to plunge into Hong Kong’s mean streets, where every connection is a whim, and every shadow hides a potential threat.

Handy journalist Navin, who has his own hidden agenda, hooks up with Wei, and together they have to navigate a twisted web of corruption, betrayal, and sheer brutality. Time is against them – they need to find the girl before it’s too late.

What really gives this familiar plot some teeth is the way it’s put together. With director Kenji Tanigaki’s fight choreography expertise and stunt coordination experience, every fight is gonna feel raw and visceral. The trailer gives you a taste of the sort of frenetic, inventive action that has made Tanigaki a legend in Asian cinema – tight close-ups, breakneck chases through the crowded skyscrapers of Hong Kong, and the sort of precision-crafted action set pieces that make the best of this genre.

Director Kenji Tanigaki: Stunt Legend to Visionary Filmmaker

Kenji Tanigaki may have only directed 3 movies so far, but his background as a stunt coordinator and fight choreographer reads like a masterclass in the art of creating excitement on screen:

• Flash Point (2007) – totally revolutionised the way you see mixed martial arts in Hong Kong films.
• Hidden Man (2018) – managed to marry some decent historical drama with precise and brutal violence.
• Raging Fire (2021) – this one delivered some of the decade’s most impressive hand-to-hand combat scenes
• Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024) – recently won critical and commercial acclaim
• Blade II (2002) – brought the kinetic energy of Asian action into mainstream Hollywood.

Tanigaki’s experience means you won’t get the usual cuts and shaky cam tricks to try to make up for poor stunt work. Instead, you can expect some wide-angle shots that really show off the stunt team’s skills and the actors’ real physical prowess – plus the kind of intricate and balletic violence that Tanigaki is famous for.

Festival Success & Global Distribution

The Furious got its world premiere in the special Midnight Madness slot at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, which is known for showing off bold and daring cinema. It got a great response from the audience and ended up as a runner-up for the People’s Choice Award, which isn’t a bad indicator of its broad appeal.

After TIFF, Lionsgate got the worldwide distribution rights for The Furious – with a few exceptions for China, Hong Kong, and Macao. That gives you a pretty good idea of how confident Lionsgate is in the movie’s potential to do well globally.

Why The Furious Stands Out in 2026’s Action Landscape

In a market where superhero blockbusters and franchise sequels are crowding the multiplexes, The Furious is a rare breed: a standalone action movie that’s driven by the story and not just a bunch of special effects. It’s a gritty, character-driven thriller that gets its action from real stunt work and authentic martial arts.

Key Differences:

✅ No Faking It: No CGI – just real fighters doing real moves
✅ Emotion Not Spectacle: the story revolves around a father’s desperation to get his kid back, not just the action.
✅ Diverse Action: a talented global cast brings their own fighting styles and cultural depth to the movie
✅ Proven Director: Tanigaki’s stunt experience means the action is always serving the story
✅ Critic’s Seal of Approval: Being picked up by TIFF gives it that extra bit of credibility

Release Date & Where To Watch

The Furious is set to hit the big screen on May 29th, 2026, and Lionsgate has confirmed a very wide international rollout. Marketing campaigns are expected to kick into high gear in the weeks leading up to the premiere – you can expect to see them everywhere.

While we still don’t know much about the streaming details, Lionsgate’s usual pattern is to release the film on VOD around 45 to 60 days after the theatrical debut. If you’re a fan, you can keep an ear out for updates on the film’s social media channels and the official Lionsgate accounts.

What Critics & Early Viewers Are Saying

The critics have been pretty tight-lipped about their full reviews ahead of the May release, but early reactions from TIFF attendees have been pretty glowing:

“The Furious brings that visceral, emotionally grounded action that Hollywood has been missing.”

– One of the TIFF Midnight Madness Attendees had to say.

“Xie Miao is still killing it, and Joe Taslim is electrifying. This is martial arts cinema as it should be – urgent & raw.”

– A Genre Film Blogger made that comment.

The fact that The Furious took runner-up in the People’s Choice Award, voted on entirely by the audience, says a lot about how well the film is connecting with people on a deeper level.

Will You Be Keen On The Furious?

Based on the trailer, the cast, the director’s track record & the festival buzz, we’re giving The Furious a tentative 7.5/10 before release. It’s got all the ingredients for a great action film – strong martial arts action, a great cast & emotional depth. But let’s be real, until you see it, you just can’t be 100% sure.

Who Will Really Enjoy The Furious:

• Anyone who loves The Raid , Flash Point & classic Hong Kong action movies
• Viewers who can appreciate good old school, practical stunt work over over-the-top CGI
• Anyone who likes a film that’s got a strong character story within a genre framework
• Martial arts fans who are waiting for Xie Miao to return to the screen

Potential Downsides:

• The rescue-mission plot could get a bit tired & feel like we’ve seen it all before to some people.
• The lack of much marketing material makes it hard to get a feel for the tone of the film.
• The fact that Lionsgate isn’t releasing The Furious in China, Hong Kong, or Macao might have a big impact on the buzz surrounding the film globally

A Must-See For Action Fans

The Furious has all the ingredients to be a standout film in the current crop of international action movies. With legendary martial artists, a director with the know-how & a story that brings a lot of heart & adrenaline to the table, Lionsgate has definitely got something special here.

We can’t wait for the May 29th release date to come around, and for action fans who have been waiting years for something like this, it’s not coming soon enough. If the trailer is any indication, The Furious is more than just an action flick – it’s a reminder of why practical martial arts choreography will always be a thrill to watch.

Get a Date in Your Diary. Clear your schedule – The Furious is coming, & it’s going to be hot.

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What do you think of The Furious trailer? Are you excited to see Xie Miao return to action cinema? Share your thoughts in the comments below!