Genre: Action | Martial Arts | Thriller
Director: Isaac Florentine
Writers: Chad Law, Jesse V. Johnson
Main Cast:

• Scott Adkins as Creed Maddox

• Daniel Bernhardt as Viktor Sava

• Yayan Ruhian as Kazuo Tanaka

• Kelly Hu as Captain Jade Rhee

• Michael Jai White as Marcus Cain

Runtime: Approx. 1h 48m
Production Companies: Millennium Media, Bleiberg Entertainment
Release Date: October 4, 2025

🔥 Plot Summary

In a dystopian near-future where privatized militias have taken control of law enforcement, one man breaks the chain—Creed Maddox (Scott Adkins), a disillusioned ex-mercenary framed for a massacre he didn’t commit.

After being betrayed by the shadowy syndicate he once served, Creed finds himself hunted across war-torn territories and abandoned urban zones now ruled by chaos. But when he stumbles upon a hidden civilian compound—“The Herd”—comprised of war orphans and survivors, he’s faced with a choice: keep running, or stay and defend something bigger than revenge.

With enemies closing in from all sides, Creed trains the misfit band into a militia of their own, arming them with guerrilla tactics, survival instincts, and a fierce will to fight. As the syndicate’s elite killer—Viktor Sava (Daniel Bernhardt)—closes in, the final confrontation erupts into a storm of fists, blades, and blood in the ruined streets of the dead zone.

🥋 Why Scott Adkins Shines in Herd Creed’s

Scott Adkins is no stranger to bone-crushing action, but Herd Creed’s gives him more than just combat—this role is steeped in emotion, purpose, and moral conflict. As Creed Maddox, Adkins plays a warrior haunted by his past but unwilling to give in to darkness. His performance blends stoic intensity with raw vulnerability, elevating the film beyond a simple action showcase.

Fans of Boyka, Accident Man, or Ninja will recognize Adkins’ signature style: blistering kicks, seamless choreography, and brutal close-quarters combat. But here, there’s more at stake: lives depend on him, and redemption is the ultimate prize.

💥 Action and Choreography

Directed by Isaac Florentine and with choreography by Tim Man, the fight scenes are slick, brutal, and grounded. Expect no shaky cam or CGI overload—just real martial arts skill on full display:

• The Prison Bus Ambush – Creed takes down an armed convoy using improvised weapons and raw strength in a breathtaking one-take shot.

• Warehouse Showdown – A rain-soaked duel with Kazuo Tanaka (Yayan Ruhian) that blends silat with MMA in the film’s most visceral sequence.

• The Final Gauntlet – In a decaying industrial complex, Creed fights his way through Viktor’s elite guards in a brutal hallway scene reminiscent of The Raid.

🎭 Themes and Depth

Beneath the explosive action lies a core theme of atonement and protection. Herd Creed’s is about more than survival—it’s about rebuilding trust and identity in a world shattered by war. Creed’s reluctant bond with the Herd transforms him from assassin to guardian.

The film also explores the moral ambiguity of modern warfare, privatized military power, and the human cost of violence. Marcus Cain (Michael Jai White) offers a compelling counterpoint—an ex-friend turned enforcer who still believes in the cause that destroyed them both.

📽️ Cinematography & Tone

Shot across gritty urban landscapes in Eastern Europe and abandoned military facilities, the film blends neo-noir visuals with post-apocalyptic decay. The moody, desaturated color palette reflects Creed’s internal bleakness, while sudden bursts of color in dream sequences hint at the life he could reclaim.

The score by Paul Haslinger pulses with tension, fusing electronic beats with haunting cello to underscore both action and introspection.

🌟 Reception & Expectations

Since the teaser dropped, fans of Adkins and indie martial arts films have dubbed Herd Creed’s the “spiritual successor to Undisputed with heart.” Early festival buzz praises the film’s tight pacing, gritty tone, and emotional depth rarely seen in action-driven narratives.

Many are calling this Adkins’ most layered role yet—a potential career-defining performance that bridges his pure-action legacy with a more cinematic, character-driven future.

🧠 Final Verdict

Herd Creed’s may not come with a $200M budget, but it comes with something better—real fight talent, raw storytelling, and a central performance that proves action heroes can have soul.

Scott Adkins leads this gritty tale of redemption not with capes or gadgets, but with calloused hands and a warrior’s heart.

If you’re ready for a film that fights hard and hits deeper, Herd Creed’s is your must-watch sleeper hit of 2025.

Related movies: