One wouldn’t expectNetflixto become one of the finest one-stop shops for martial arts entertainment. The classics of the genre are spread far and wide across the streaming services, but Netflix produces and distributes a lot of excellent new entries. Their best examples seem to come from collaborating with one of the finest talents in the ecosystem, Indonesian filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto. Tjahjanto’s first straight-to-Netflix project wasThe Night Comes for Us, which immediately emerged as one of the best martial arts films of the past decade.
The martial arts genre is inherently violent, but there’s a very wide spectrum of exactly how that violence looks. A lot of classics keepbloodshed to a grounded minimum, employing weapons that leave their enemies beaten into unconsciousness rather than chopped into pieces. More recent entries rarely shy away from the excesses that would feel more at home in horror films.The Raidwas a huge turning point, depicting several of the most jaw-dropping kills in the genre. Films likeThe Night Comes for Usrose to the new barThe Raidset for them.
Timo Tjahjanto
Stars
Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle, Sunny Pang, and Zack Lee
Release Date
July 22, 2025
The Night Comes for Usdrops the audience into an intense world of organized crime. The powerfulSouth East Asian Triadhas six top enforcers known as the Six Seas. Those warriors carry out nightmarish acts of violence to protect Triad profits. Ito, one of the Six Seas, loses his nerve after seeing the consequences of his actions reflected in a young girl named Reina. After saving and sheltering Reina, Ito seeks protection from members of his old gang. Unfortunately, the Triad develops the same idea, seeking out Ito’s oldest friend, Arian. The Triad offers Arian Ito’s Six Seas position if he can hunt and kill his old friend. Ito must work to protect himself and Reina while Arian pursues his ambition by any means necessary. While they circle each other, the other members of the Six Seas and various representatives of the Triad send wave after wave of warriors into endless battles. It’s acomplex epic with themed assassins, gallons of blood, and several jaw-dropping brawls.
Why Martial Arts Fans Should WatchThe Night Comes For Us
The Night Comes for Usprovides a unique experience for hardcore fans. There’s a compelling narrative with a lot of engaging characters, but there are also a lot of fight sequences that stand as the film’s selling point. Those whoaren’t looking for gangland dramacan easily tune out of the story, but those who want something deeper than punches and kicks will find it here.The Night Comes for Usis straightforward enough to be instantly identifiable. The Six Seas setup could be a cartoonish leap into some kind ofNo More Heroesfranchise. One could imagine Ito fighting his way through one Triad enforcer after another, eventually reaching the fated face-off between friends. Instead, Ito and Arian have to struggle against nearly a dozen moving pieces with unique motivations, some of which stay shrouded in mystery. It’s less likeThe Raidand more likeThe Raid 2, whichditched the contained thrillerfor a more expansive crime story. This allows the film to deliver a more varied approach to its real draw.
The fight scenes inThe Night Comes for Usstand among thebest in the genre. As any fan of martial arts cinema would know, the high point is the final bout, but there are stellar brawls dotted throughout the plot. Early encounters see Joe Taslim, the film’s star, take on what feels like a hundred men in a meat locker. Iko Uwais, portraying Arian, tops some of his finest moments in films likeThe Raid. His talents are multifaceted, but his distinct pencak silat style continues to be amazing. Taslim and Uwais are the twin stars, but there are several other excellent martial artists in the cast. Julie Estelle, for example, portrays the mysterious Operator. Fans of the genre might know her best as the Hammer Girl inThe Raid 2. Zack Lee wasanotherThe Raid 2star, bringing his unique talents toThe Night Comes for Usin the role of White Boy Bobby Bule. That collected talent turns massive brawls into almost absurd showcases for superhuman feats of strength and skill. While most of the stunts remain localized to fight sequences, it’s a real masterclass in the art form.
The Night Comes for Usis an instant classic that deserves the excellent reviews it received. Fans of the genre will find one of the most intense experiences available on Netflix. For hispart, Timo Tjahjanto has continuedto collaborate with the streamer. He’s one of the best in the genre, and his first streaming release remains worth any fan’s time.
