2025 Action Cinema: A Year of Bullets, Beatdowns, and Bravado – Honorable Mentions
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Action cinema enthusiasts, rejoice! 2025 delivered a thrilling barrage of high-octane entertainment, and as the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the films that left a lasting impact. While some titles undoubtedly soared to the top, a wealth of honorable mentions deserve recognition for their contributions to the genre.
It’s that time of year again – a moment for contemplation, though thankfully, 2025 offered plenty of positive experiences alongside the challenges.despite a few missteps, the year was undeniably a banner one for action, brimming with bullets, beatdowns, and bravado. This first round focuses on those films that, while enjoyable, didn’t quite crack the Top 20. As the author notes, this is a subjective list, “and I back it up, so your argument is invalid here.” Films missed due to limited availability, like Kenji Tanigaki’s The Furious, starring Joe Taslim, Xie Miao, Yayan Ruhian, and JeeJa Yanin (which premiered at TIFF), are acknowledged but will have to wait for a wider release in 2026.
Let’s dive into the honorable mentions that made 2025 a thrilling year for action fans.
Style Over Substance: Kate Beckinsale and Lewis Tan Shine
The latest offering from action director James Nunn may not have broken new ground in terms of plot,but it more than compensated with its impressive action sequences and stellar performances. Starring kate Beckinsale and lewis Tan,the film delivered exactly what audiences expected. Beckinsale,a veteran of the action genre thanks to the Underworld franchise,continued to shine,but it was Lewis Tan who truly stood out.”Tan continues to pop in the action world, and this was just another reminder that he is destined for big things,” the author observes, praising Tan’s performance and particularly his standout fight sequence.
Despite a less-than-satisfying conclusion, the film’s entertainment value earned it a place among the honorable mentions.The author suggests, “Simply let Tan cook more, and this coudl have nudged its way into the top 20.” Nunn’s upcoming project, One Last Shot starring Scott Adkins, is anticipated to be another action-packed hit, building on the momentum of this earlier release.
Extreme Action from Indonesia: Triggered (TOPAKK)
technically released in Indonesia in 2023, Triggered (TOPAKK) finally reached international audiences in May 2025, securing its place on the list. This film stars Arjo Atayde as Miguel Vergara, a heroic soldier who employs a relentless arsenal – from machine guns to machetes – to protect the innocent from a ruthless army. The author playfully notes that Vergara might even use the kitchen sink in his fight against the “army of cutthroats.”
Triggered doesn’t shy away from extreme fight choreography and a constant barrage of gunfire, making it a must-see for action aficionados. Julia Montes co-stars as weng Diwata, while Sid Lucero delivers a chilling performance as the leader of the death squad. The film is described as “just one hell of a bloody good time!”
Buddy Cop Nostalgia: Under Fire
Retro buddy cop action makes a triumphant return with Under Fire, starring Dylan Sprouse and Mason Gooding. This “slick and tidy” actioner pays homage to the golden age of the genre, delivering rapid-fire action and plenty of humor. The chemistry between Sprouse and Gooding is a major highlight, with
