The Raid, also known as The Raid: Redemption, is an adrenaline-pumping action film from Indonesian director Gareth Evans. Released in 2011, the movie set a new benchmark for martial arts films with its intense fight choreography, relentless pacing, and brutal action scenes. Here’s everything you need to know about this high-octane action thriller:
Detailed Summary
Introduction: The SWAT Team’s Mission
The film begins with a SWAT team, led by Sergeant Jaka (Joe Taslim) and rookie cop Rama (Iko Uwais), being tasked with raiding a high-rise building in Jakarta. This rundown building serves as a safe haven for criminals and is controlled by a ruthless drug lord, Tama Riyadi (Ray Sahetapy). Their goal is simple but dangerous: take down Tama and clear the building.
The Ambush
As the team ascends the building, the mission quickly goes sideways. A young lookout spots them, triggering an all-out alarm. Tama offers the building’s residents free rent if they kill the police, and suddenly, the SWAT team finds themselves outnumbered and outgunned. This is where the movie shifts gears into full-on action.
Rama’s Stand
Rama, the protagonist, emerges as a key figure as the team is systematically picked off. Using his expert silat martial arts skills, Rama fights his way through wave after wave of thugs in some of the most brilliantly choreographed fight scenes in recent memory. His fight against a machete-wielding gang in a narrow hallway is particularly tense and memorable.
Mad Dog: The Ultimate Fight
One of the film’s standout villains is Mad Dog (Yayan Ruhian), Tama’s enforcer and a martial arts powerhouse. His hand-to-hand combat scenes, especially his brutal fight with Rama and Andi (Donny Alamsyah), are among the film’s most thrilling moments. The extended fight scene with Mad Dog in a small room is a testament to the film’s commitment to gritty, realistic combat.
The Final Showdown with Tama
As Rama and the few surviving officers make their way to the top of the building, they confront Tama, who has been pulling the strings from his control room. It’s a satisfying climax to the action-packed narrative, with Tama finally being captured after a tense face-off.
Movie Ending
The film concludes with Rama and a few survivors capturing Tama, but it’s a bittersweet victory. Andi, revealed to be Rama’s estranged brother, chooses to remain behind as part of the criminal world, hinting at unresolved family ties. The film ends with a wide-open door for future sequels, and sure enough, we got one in The Raid 2 (2014).
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Raid does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends with a sense of closure, but the story itself is left open for continuation in the sequel.
Type of Movie
The Raid is a martial arts action film with a strong focus on intense fight choreography, crime drama, and survival thriller elements. It’s known for its minimal use of CGI, relying on practical effects and gritty, realistic combat.
Cast
- Iko Uwais as Rama
- Joe Taslim as Jaka
- Donny Alamsyah as Andi
- Ray Sahetapy as Tama Riyadi
- Yayan Ruhian as Mad Dog
- Pierre Gruno as Wahyu
Film Music and Composer
The movie’s score was composed by Mike Shinoda (from Linkin Park) and Joseph Trapanese. Their work added a pulsing, heart-pounding energy to the movie, complementing the relentless pace of the action. The music intensifies the film’s claustrophobic and tense atmosphere.
Filming Locations
The Raid was primarily filmed in Jakarta, Indonesia. The entire movie is set in a single location—a high-rise apartment building. This confined setting serves as a pressure cooker, heightening the film’s tension. The building itself becomes a character, with its narrow hallways, darkened rooms, and maze-like structure providing the perfect backdrop for close-quarters combat.
Awards and Nominations
The Raid received numerous accolades, particularly in the action genre:
- Toronto International Film Festival – People’s Choice Award (Midnight Madness category)
- Dublin Film Critics Circle Award – Best Film
- Southeast Asia Film Festival – Best Action Film
Though it didn’t gain major award recognition from mainstream bodies, it became a cult hit and is widely regarded as one of the best action movies of its era.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was originally supposed to be a prison-based action movie but was scaled back due to budget constraints.
- Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, the movie’s martial arts choreographers and lead actors, trained the entire cast in Pencak Silat, the martial art that’s prominently featured in the film.
- Gareth Evans had to shoot on a very tight budget, and many of the building’s interiors were created with minimal set design.
- The actors performed most of their own stunts, with Iko Uwais doing many of the fight scenes without doubles.
Inspirations and References
The Raid was heavily inspired by the martial arts tradition of Southeast Asia, particularly Pencak Silat, which had not been prominently featured in international films. Director Gareth Evans wanted to showcase this unique fighting style in a contemporary action setting.
The film also draws from John Carpenter’s minimalist action movies like Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), where a small group is trapped and must fight their way out.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There have been no publicly known alternate endings or major deleted scenes from The Raid. The film is tightly constructed, and its lean runtime leaves little room for unnecessary material.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The Raid is not based on a book, but its plot bears similarities to survival-action stories like Die Hard and Dredd (which was released around the same time and shares a very similar premise of a police raid on a high-rise building).
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The ambush in the hallway where the SWAT team is first attacked by a horde of thugs.
- Rama’s intense fight with a machete gang in a confined corridor.
- The final, exhausting fight between Rama, Andi, and Mad Dog—arguably one of the best fight scenes in modern cinema.
Iconic Quotes
- Tama Riyadi: “You think you’re the good guys? You’re no different from me.”
- Mad Dog: “Pulling a trigger is like ordering takeout. But when you fight with your hands, that’s when the real work begins.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The building’s layout was designed to resemble a video game level, with each floor acting as a new “boss level.”
- Iko Uwais is wearing a T-shirt that subtly references his previous film with Gareth Evans, Merantau.
- The film’s pacing and structure are meant to evoke a sense of escalating danger, much like a martial arts tournament, with each successive level representing a new challenge.
Trivia
- Iko Uwais was discovered by Gareth Evans while Evans was filming a documentary on martial arts in Indonesia.
- The movie had a budget of around $1.1 million, making its success even more impressive.
- The Raid is often credited with revitalizing the action genre and inspiring a wave of films centered around hand-to-hand combat.
- Mad Dog’s actor, Yayan Ruhian, was also a choreographer and would later return in The Raid 2 in a different role.
Why Watch?
If you’re a fan of martial arts movies, non-stop action, and realistic fight scenes, The Raid is an absolute must-see. The choreography, the brutality, and the intensity are on another level, and it sets the standard for modern action films. Even if you’re not usually into martial arts films, this one’s sheer energy and innovative fight scenes will keep you glued to the screen.
Director’s Other Movies
- Merantau (2009)
- The Raid 2 (2014)
- Apostle (2018)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Raid 2 (2014)
- Dredd (2012)
- John Wick (2014)
- Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)
- Ip Man (2008)
