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‘John Wick’ Meets ‘The Raid’ in New Bonkers Action Thriller Blowing Up on Streaming Across America
A Hong Kong martial arts thriller called The Furious has become an unexpected streaming hit in the United States, drawing comparisons to genre favourites The Raid and John Wick for its brutal, hand-to-hand combat style. Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, the film premiered to widespread critical acclaim before its limited US theatrical run, and its rapid rise on streaming charts highlights strong audience appetite for grounded, physically choreographed action amid a year dominated by big-budget CGI releases.
The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, later settling at a still-strong 98%. Following a limited US cinema release on 12 June, demand prompted its digital release date to be moved forward from 17 July to 7 July, and it has since remained in the Top 10 on major platforms including Amazon, Apple TV and Google in the US, as well as in the UK and Ireland.
In short
- Hong Kong action film The Furious is a streaming hit in the US
- Compared to The Raid and John Wick for brutal fight choreography
- Holds a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score; Top 10 on major streaming platforms
Explained simply
The Furious is a Hong Kong martial arts film that emphasises realistic hand-to-hand combat between fighters rather than relying on computer-generated special effects. Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, it has drawn comparisons to other acclaimed action films such as The Raid and John Wick.
The film received critical acclaim when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025. After a limited cinema release in the United States in June, it became a streaming success, indicating that audiences are interested in action films based on practical stunts and choreography rather than visual effects alone.
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