Release Date: September 8, 2011 (TIFF premiere), March 23, 2012 (Indonesia/US)
Director: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, Donny Alamsyah

When Gareth Evans unleashed The Raid on the world in 2011, he didn’t just make a film — he set a new standard for action cinema. This Indonesian martial arts thriller took audiences by storm with its stripped-down story, pulse-pounding intensity, and brutal, beautifully choreographed fight sequences that redefined the genre.

Plot: Survival in a Vertical Hell

Set in the slums of Jakarta, The Raid follows Rama (Iko Uwais), a rookie member of an elite SWAT team sent to infiltrate a 15-story apartment complex run by a ruthless crime lord. But what begins as a covert operation turns into a blood-soaked fight for survival as the team is trapped inside and hunted by dozens of killers. With no reinforcements, no way out, and trust unraveling, Rama must battle his way through hell — floor by floor.

A New Language of Action

What sets The Raid apart isn’t just its relentless pace — it’s the raw physicality and bone-crunching realism of its action. Using the Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat, choreographed with startling fluidity and force, Evans and lead actor/fight choreographer Iko Uwais created sequences that are as artistic as they are violent. Each fight tells a story, and every impact feels brutally real.

Minimal dialogue, claustrophobic settings, and a pounding electronic score by Mike Shinoda (of Linkin Park) and Joseph Trapanese combine to create an atmosphere of suffocating tension.

Legacy and Impact

The Raid was an international sensation, praised by critics and action directors alike. It won awards at film festivals and spawned a 2014 sequel (The Raid 2), which expanded the world and deepened the narrative. Hollywood even attempted to remake it — a testament to its influence — but none have yet matched the visceral impact of the original.

Many consider The Raid one of the greatest action films of the 21st century. It launched Iko Uwais into global stardom and helped spotlight Indonesian cinema on the world stage.

Final Verdict

The Raid is lean, mean, and unforgettable. It’s not just a film — it’s a 100-minute adrenaline shot that proves you don’t need superheroes or CGI to deliver jaw-dropping action. For fans of martial arts and no-nonsense cinema, it remains essential viewing.