10 Incredible Asian Action Movies You Have To See Before You Die

From: Indonesia

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Also known as The Raid: Redemption, this Indonesian-language thriller was actually written and directed by Welshman Gareth Evans, who became fascinated with Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat after filming a documentary about it. He began his action career with solid debut effort Merantau, the story of a young man from the countryside who uses his Silat skills to survive the slave trade, though it was his second film that put both him and Indonesian action on the world stage.

The film follows Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie member of an elite team of commandos tasked with entering a mob-owned apartment block and bringing in a brutal boss named Tama (Ray Sahetapy). When the their cover is blown, the team face a desperate push for survival after Tama offers sanctuary to every thug in his high-rise in exchange for the heads of the intruders. With his comrades being picked off one by one, Rama must take command and lead the charge through the dark and dangerous building.

The action is bloody, brutal and relentless, refusing to let up even an inch as soon as it gets going. Talented star man Uwais does a good deal of his own choreography, and his second collaboration with Evans leaves you wanting to see more from the young Welsh director, who, given the chance, could take the genre by storm.