Key Takeaways
- The Furious is set for a theatrical release in 2026 after its successful debut at TIFF.
- The film showcases authentic martial arts and features an international cast of elite fighters.
- Director Kenji Tanigaki expresses excitement about Lionsgate distributing the film.
- Chris Bumbray praised the film for its adrenaline and crowd-pleasing action despite its rough edges.
The Furious was a crowd-favourite upon its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, and audiences will finally get the chance to check out the action extravaganza for themselves as Lionsgate has acquired worldwide rights to the film. The studio is planning on releasing The Furious in theaters in 2026.
The film is a celebration of the golden age of Hong Kong action filmmaking, with authentic martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, and an international ensemble of elite fighters. Mo Tse stars as Wang Wei, a humble tradesman who is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence when his daughter Rainy is abducted. His only ally is Ravin (Joe Taslim), a relentless journalist haunted by his own past. Together, they fight their way through an international criminal network in a desperate bid to save Rainy and uncover the truth.
In a statement, director Kenji Tanigaki said, “There’s nothing more exciting than having The Furious distributed by Lionsgate — it means that great action cinema will reach audiences in the best possible way! The adventure of The Furious is just about to begin, and I can’t wait for audiences around the world to jump on this ride — to be thrilled, to hold their breath, and to roar with excitement!“
Lauren Bixby, EVP & Co-Head, Acquisitions & Co-Productions for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, added, “We have had tremendous success with several films from the TIFF Midnight Madness programming—including Sisu and The Blackening—in recent years, and we were similarly blown away by The Furious. This movie redefines martial arts action—it’s incredibly entertaining and engrossing, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences next year.“
Our own Chris Bumbray caught The Furious at TIFF and loved it. “While The Furious lacks the slick polish of the best recent South Korean, Chinese, or Indonesian action blockbusters, it makes up for it in sheer adrenaline and crowd-pleasing ferocity,” he wrote. “It’s the kind of movie designed for high-fives in the theatre, where you’ll find yourself grinning like an idiot as wave after wave of mayhem unfolds on screen. I had a killer time with it, and anyone considering themselves a fan of action cinema should put this one very high on their list.” You can check out the rest of his review right here.
