The Night Comes for Us (2018) Review

A Brutal Ballet of Blood and Redemption

The Night Comes for Us is one of the best action movies I've ever seen. The first time I watched it, I was blown away, and even now in 2025, it still holds its place among the top action films of my lifetime. Each action set piece feels fresh and mind blowing, backed by EDM music that perfectly complements the intense sequences. It's a must watch for fans of gory action films.

I often wonder why this scintillating, well-shot action film doesn't get more recognition. People who hail John Wick as the pinnacle of action cinema should start exploring Indonesian action films they're raw, gruesome, and feel real to the core. Every character in this film is all about action, and even the side characters deliver marvelous performances.

The plot centers around Ito, played by Joe Taslim, a member of the Six Seas, who abandons them to save a young girl's life, facing dire consequences for his actions. The characters are incredibly badass and driven, Especially Julie Estelle, I was in complete awe while seeing her on screen. And then enters Iko Uwais the Raid star with his killer moves and sharp presence, adding more weight and intensity to the already explosive . Emotionally, I felt connected to some of Ito's mates who get killed while trying to protect the child. While the film is more action driven than story centric, I won't complain; I was 110% satisfied with my time well spent. If you're someone who loves action, you should definitely check it out.

The entire cast, especially director Timo Tjahjanto, cinematographer Gunnar Nimpuno, editor Arifin Cuunk, and music composers Fajar Yuskemal and Aria Prayogi, have done a phenomenal job. The color grading, lighting, makeup, and cosmetics especially each wound feel raw and authentic.

I just loved the movie and could talk about it all day long. Most importantly, I thank the producers for bringing such a film to life.

If you're into action in general, you should definitely try it out. It's an action movie, so see it for the action.

Rating : ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

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Did You Know?

• The Night Comes for Us was originally conceived as a script and adapted into a graphic novel before finally being released as a film.

• Netflix acquired the distribution rights and released the film worldwide on October 19, 2018.

• Director Timo Tjahjanto has developed a story for a sequel, likely to focus on Julie Estelle's character, The Operator.

• The film received positive reviews for its action sequences, direction, plot, and cast performances, though it was noted for its excessive violence.

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Note: It's available to stream on Netflix: Watch here

Watch the trailer here: Trailer