Blab Entertainment
Kenji Tanigakis "The Furious" Set for Wide U.S. Release on June 12, 2026
Kenji Tanigaki’s action thriller The Furious will open in U.S. theaters on Friday, June 12, 2026, following a festival run that began at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2025. The film is distributed by Lionsgate and is available in Mandarin, Tagalog and English with subtitles.
The Furious follows a mute father, played by Xie Miao, who must rescue his kidnapped daughter, portrayed by Yang Enyou. The plot centers on the father’s confrontation with a child‑trafficking syndicate led by the character Joey Iwanaga. The film also features Joe Taslim as an undercover reporter and JeeJa Yanin as a journalist investigating the same crime ring. Yayan Ruhian appears in a supporting role, and Brian Le plays a villainous henchman.
The film’s action sequences were choreographed by Kensuke Sonomura, a veteran Japanese stunt director known for his work on Baby Assassins and Ghost Killer. Tanigaki, who has a background in Hong Kong action cinema and has worked on Hollywood titles such as Blade II and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, directed the project. Sonomura’s style is noted for its “volumetric” approach, with fighters filling three‑dimensional space rather than moving in a single line.
According to the film’s press kit, the action scenes are described as “explosive martial‑arts showdowns” that combine close‑quarters combat with high‑impact stunts. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Flying Lotus, Elliot Leung and Olivia Xiaolin.
The film premiered in the Midnight Madness section of TIFF in 2025, where it received positive reviews for its choreography and pacing. It subsequently screened at the Busan Film Festival, Beyond Fest, and the Fantastic Fest in Austin. Critics at these festivals highlighted the film’s blend of visceral action and a straightforward narrative.
Lionsgate’s release strategy positions The Furious as a potential “action‑film staple” for the summer. The studio announced the wide release date in a statement on April 10, 2026, noting the film’s “strong festival reception” and “high‑energy action.” The distributor also confirmed that the film will be available for VOD and streaming on major platforms after its theatrical run.
The movie’s runtime is 1 hour and 53 minutes, and it carries an R rating for strong violence and language. The film’s marketing campaign focuses on the choreography and the international cast, with trailers emphasizing the “no‑hold‑back” fight scenes.
Industry observers note that Tanigaki’s transition from stunt coordinator to director follows a pattern seen in other action filmmakers who have moved from behind‑the‑camera roles to the director’s chair. His previous work includes action direction on Hidden Man (2018) and Raging Fire (2021), both of which earned him Hong Kong Film Awards.
The release of The Furious comes amid a growing trend of Asian‑produced action films gaining traction in Western markets. The film’s combination of Hong Kong‑style choreography, Japanese stunt expertise, and an international ensemble is intended to appeal to both domestic and global audiences.
As of the latest studio announcement, The Furious will be screened in major U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, with additional showings in smaller cities. Lionsgate has not yet disclosed box‑office projections, but the studio has indicated that it expects the film to perform well among action‑film audiences.
The film’s release is scheduled to coincide with other major titles, such as Disclosure Day and Stop! That! Train!, which are also opening on June 12, 2026. The competitive landscape may influence the film’s opening weekend performance.
The Furious is currently available for purchase on digital platforms after its theatrical window closes. The film’s home‑video release is expected in late 2026.
In summary, Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious is a martial‑arts action thriller that premiered at TIFF in 2025, features an international cast and stunt direction by Kensuke Sonomura, and will open in U.S. theaters on June 12, 2026 under Lionsgate distribution. The film’s festival reception and action pedigree position it as a notable entry in the 2026 action‑film lineup.
The Furious follows a mute father, played by Xie Miao, who must rescue his kidnapped daughter, portrayed by Yang Enyou. The plot centers on the father’s confrontation with a child‑trafficking syndicate led by the character Joey Iwanaga. The film also features Joe Taslim as an undercover reporter and JeeJa Yanin as a journalist investigating the same crime ring. Yayan Ruhian appears in a supporting role, and Brian Le plays a villainous henchman.
The film’s action sequences were choreographed by Kensuke Sonomura, a veteran Japanese stunt director known for his work on Baby Assassins and Ghost Killer. Tanigaki, who has a background in Hong Kong action cinema and has worked on Hollywood titles such as Blade II and Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, directed the project. Sonomura’s style is noted for its “volumetric” approach, with fighters filling three‑dimensional space rather than moving in a single line.
According to the film’s press kit, the action scenes are described as “explosive martial‑arts showdowns” that combine close‑quarters combat with high‑impact stunts. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Flying Lotus, Elliot Leung and Olivia Xiaolin.
The film premiered in the Midnight Madness section of TIFF in 2025, where it received positive reviews for its choreography and pacing. It subsequently screened at the Busan Film Festival, Beyond Fest, and the Fantastic Fest in Austin. Critics at these festivals highlighted the film’s blend of visceral action and a straightforward narrative.
Lionsgate’s release strategy positions The Furious as a potential “action‑film staple” for the summer. The studio announced the wide release date in a statement on April 10, 2026, noting the film’s “strong festival reception” and “high‑energy action.” The distributor also confirmed that the film will be available for VOD and streaming on major platforms after its theatrical run.
The movie’s runtime is 1 hour and 53 minutes, and it carries an R rating for strong violence and language. The film’s marketing campaign focuses on the choreography and the international cast, with trailers emphasizing the “no‑hold‑back” fight scenes.
Industry observers note that Tanigaki’s transition from stunt coordinator to director follows a pattern seen in other action filmmakers who have moved from behind‑the‑camera roles to the director’s chair. His previous work includes action direction on Hidden Man (2018) and Raging Fire (2021), both of which earned him Hong Kong Film Awards.
The release of The Furious comes amid a growing trend of Asian‑produced action films gaining traction in Western markets. The film’s combination of Hong Kong‑style choreography, Japanese stunt expertise, and an international ensemble is intended to appeal to both domestic and global audiences.
As of the latest studio announcement, The Furious will be screened in major U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, with additional showings in smaller cities. Lionsgate has not yet disclosed box‑office projections, but the studio has indicated that it expects the film to perform well among action‑film audiences.
The film’s release is scheduled to coincide with other major titles, such as Disclosure Day and Stop! That! Train!, which are also opening on June 12, 2026. The competitive landscape may influence the film’s opening weekend performance.
The Furious is currently available for purchase on digital platforms after its theatrical window closes. The film’s home‑video release is expected in late 2026.
In summary, Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious is a martial‑arts action thriller that premiered at TIFF in 2025, features an international cast and stunt direction by Kensuke Sonomura, and will open in U.S. theaters on June 12, 2026 under Lionsgate distribution. The film’s festival reception and action pedigree position it as a notable entry in the 2026 action‑film lineup.
