ArtistDirect News
Joe Taslim Returns to the Big Screen in Martial Arts Thriller "The Furious"
Joe Taslim, the Indonesian actor who once represented his country on the judo mat, is stepping back into the spotlight. On Friday, June 12 2026, the film “The Furious” will open in theaters worldwide, with the first screenings taking place in Hong Kong. The action‑thriller sees Taslim donning the role of Navin, a determined journalist whose search for his missing wife throws him into a brutal underworld of child smuggling.
The film was first introduced to the world at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 6 2025, where it was met with praise for its grounded, visceral fight scenes. Director Kenji Tanigaki—renowned for his work as a stunt choreographer—has crafted a sequence of practical martial‑arts choreography that relies on real skill rather than CGI. Tanigaki’s collaboration with Taslim and Chinese wushu legend Xie Miao brings a level of authenticity that critics have described as a “brutal, bloody reality.”
Taslim’s career bridges sport and cinema. From 1997 to 2009, he was a member of Indonesia’s national judo team, earning a silver and two bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games and a gold at the 2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional. His transition to film began with the 2011 hit “The Raid,” where he portrayed Sergeant Jaka. Since then, he has taken on roles such as Jah in “Fast & Furious 6” (2013), Sub‑Zero in both the 2021 and 2026 “Mortal Kombat” films, and Li Yong in the television series “Warrior” (2019‑2023).
In “The Furious,” Navin’s wife disappears while he is investigating a child‑smuggling ring. He partners with Wei, a mute father played by Xie Miao, to confront the criminal empire. The film also features Yayan Ruhian—who first earned notoriety as the villain in “The Raid”—in a cameo that sets up a long‑awaited on‑screen rematch with Taslim.
The production was shot in Hong Kong and surrounding locales, a decision that helped the film capture the city’s gritty aesthetic while also providing practical shooting environments for the intense action sequences. The world premiere at TIFF served as a testing ground for international reception, and the film’s distribution strategy follows a growing trend: action movies from Hong Kong debut at major festivals before launching a global theatrical rollout.
Narratively, “The Furious” marries investigative journalism with high‑octane martial‑arts combat. Navin’s personal quest for justice echoes themes that have defined Taslim’s work, especially in “The Raid,” where his character also fought for survival against overwhelming odds. The inclusion of Xie Miao, a former wushu champion, adds a cross‑cultural dimension that enriches the fight scenes with genuine martial‑arts heritage.
The release comes at a pivotal moment when Asian action cinema is gaining traction in Western markets. Taslim’s return after a series of high‑profile roles positions him as a bridge between Indonesian martial‑arts cinema and a global audience hungry for authentic, hard‑hitting action.
According to the latest distribution schedule, “The Furious” will be available in theaters worldwide on June 12 2026, with a digital and streaming release slated for later in the year. The film’s premiere at TIFF and the involvement of action veterans such as Taslim, Tanigaki, and Miao suggest it will be a standout entry in the 2026 action‑film lineup. The performance of the film will be closely monitored by distributors and critics alike, given its pedigree and the high expectations set by Taslim’s previous work.
In sum, “The Furious” is poised to deliver a raw, physically demanding cinematic experience that showcases Taslim’s evolution from judo champion to action star, while also highlighting the collaborative spirit of international martial‑arts filmmaking.
The film was first introduced to the world at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 6 2025, where it was met with praise for its grounded, visceral fight scenes. Director Kenji Tanigaki—renowned for his work as a stunt choreographer—has crafted a sequence of practical martial‑arts choreography that relies on real skill rather than CGI. Tanigaki’s collaboration with Taslim and Chinese wushu legend Xie Miao brings a level of authenticity that critics have described as a “brutal, bloody reality.”
Taslim’s career bridges sport and cinema. From 1997 to 2009, he was a member of Indonesia’s national judo team, earning a silver and two bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games and a gold at the 2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional. His transition to film began with the 2011 hit “The Raid,” where he portrayed Sergeant Jaka. Since then, he has taken on roles such as Jah in “Fast & Furious 6” (2013), Sub‑Zero in both the 2021 and 2026 “Mortal Kombat” films, and Li Yong in the television series “Warrior” (2019‑2023).
In “The Furious,” Navin’s wife disappears while he is investigating a child‑smuggling ring. He partners with Wei, a mute father played by Xie Miao, to confront the criminal empire. The film also features Yayan Ruhian—who first earned notoriety as the villain in “The Raid”—in a cameo that sets up a long‑awaited on‑screen rematch with Taslim.
The production was shot in Hong Kong and surrounding locales, a decision that helped the film capture the city’s gritty aesthetic while also providing practical shooting environments for the intense action sequences. The world premiere at TIFF served as a testing ground for international reception, and the film’s distribution strategy follows a growing trend: action movies from Hong Kong debut at major festivals before launching a global theatrical rollout.
Narratively, “The Furious” marries investigative journalism with high‑octane martial‑arts combat. Navin’s personal quest for justice echoes themes that have defined Taslim’s work, especially in “The Raid,” where his character also fought for survival against overwhelming odds. The inclusion of Xie Miao, a former wushu champion, adds a cross‑cultural dimension that enriches the fight scenes with genuine martial‑arts heritage.
The release comes at a pivotal moment when Asian action cinema is gaining traction in Western markets. Taslim’s return after a series of high‑profile roles positions him as a bridge between Indonesian martial‑arts cinema and a global audience hungry for authentic, hard‑hitting action.
According to the latest distribution schedule, “The Furious” will be available in theaters worldwide on June 12 2026, with a digital and streaming release slated for later in the year. The film’s premiere at TIFF and the involvement of action veterans such as Taslim, Tanigaki, and Miao suggest it will be a standout entry in the 2026 action‑film lineup. The performance of the film will be closely monitored by distributors and critics alike, given its pedigree and the high expectations set by Taslim’s previous work.
In sum, “The Furious” is poised to deliver a raw, physically demanding cinematic experience that showcases Taslim’s evolution from judo champion to action star, while also highlighting the collaborative spirit of international martial‑arts filmmaking.