In the realm of great action movies are a specific few flicks that stand out for embracing ultra-violence, pushing the boundaries of realism to depict heart-pounding thrills. Violence takes centerstage in these action films, with perfectly curated set pieces and flawlessly choreographed fight sequences becoming the defining moments of the movies. Sure, the plot matters, but not as much as the carnage.
From beloved classics that redefined mainstream films to brutal gems from Asian cinema, the most violent action movies of all time gave viewers the most explosive brawls, shootouts, and stunt work to ever grace the big screen. These films escalated violence to extreme levels and entertained fans of the genre through meticulously crafted chaos designed to shock and awe.
Rambo (2008)
The fourth installment in the Rambo franchise sees the successful return of ’80s icon Sylvester Stallone, who reprises his role as the titular character. This time, John Rambo is hired to lead a group of mercenaries in a dangerous rescue mission in Burma, where a group of Christian missionaries are being held hostage.
Stepping away from the franchise’s more nuanced portrayal of the mercenary in its previous big action movie hits, the 2008 sequel turns Rambo into an edgier, darker character in a surprisingly brutal film. Violence against children, gruesome deaths via landmines, and that unforgettable gory death via Rambo’s machine gun make it clear that the modern Hollywood action flick is attempting to redefine the popular film series. While its characterization of Rambo and questionable portrayal of its antagonists have been criticized, there’s no denying that it succeeds in being a jarringly violent entry into the franchise and the genre as a whole.
Hardcore Henry (2015)
In the unique sci-fi action movie Hardcore Henry, a man (played by multiple actors) wakes up in a Moscow laboratory by a scientist claiming to be his wife. He has apparently been brought back to life as a half-human half-robot, but before he’s fully restored, armed thugs seize the building and kidnap his wife, Estelle (Haley Bennett). Henry escapes and begins to use his new robotic abilities to go on a bloody rampage in an effort to save Estelle from a villainous warlord, Akan (Danila Kozlovsky).
The violence in Hardcore Henry is over-the-top and totally unrealistic, obviously aiming to be comical. For the most part, it works and is even amplified by the film’s use of the first-person perspective. This point of view makes each painful scene more immersive, almost as if audiences are playing an intense video game. This relentless and rapid-fire action may be too much for some, which explains why the 2015 movie is divisive.
Dredd (2012)
In the dystopian sci-fi future depicted in Dredd, a sprawling metropolis called Mega City One is full of criminal activities. Judges like Dredd (Karl Urban) serve as the judge, jury, and executioner for all of these cases, and one particular crime soon requires the protagonist’s attention. Violent acts in a megastructure are linked to a ruthless drug lord, Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), who soon traps Dredd and a newbie he’s training in the lawless high-rise block.
The drug Ma-Ma distributes is Slo-Mo, which does precisely what it sounds like. The extremely violent moments throughout the film are punctuated by slow-motion scenes that exaggerate the brutality to disturbing levels. Of course, there are classic shootouts and hand-to-hand combat as Dredd and the rookie fight their way through each floor to get to Ma-Ma at the top.
Crank: High Voltage (2009)
Ex-hitman Chev Chelios (action movie star Jason Statham) finds himself in a dangerous situation after he’s abducted by mobsters who replace his heart with an artificial one that needs constant electrical jolts to keep him alive. The artificial heart is designed to work for just one hour, but these jolts of electricity extend Chev’s life. Crank: High Voltage follows his frantic journey across Los Angeles to track down his original heart, hurting whoever gets in his way.
Chev Chelios’ relentless pursuit of what’s rightfully his leads to some gory action sequences that seem to happen constantly. The frenetic action and the film’s pacing barely give viewers any calm moments, with the violence only escalating until the film’s explosive conclusion. Darker, more graphic, and bloodier than its predecessor, Crank: High Voltage is a high-octane whirlwind of a film that embraces brutality and vulgarity to an extreme degree.
The Raid: Redemption (2011)
The Raid is centered on an Indonesian National Police tactical squad sent to a notorious drug lord’s high-rise apartment block in Jakarta’s slums, where they discover they’ve walked into a trap. With the squad in danger, the rookie member left behind, Rama (Iko Uwais), must lead the rest of the team inside to complete the mission. Each floor of the high-rise brings more perilous fights and risky situations that only get worse as they inch closer to their goal.
The 2011 action thriller film is action-packed and gritty, featuring several close combat scenes that showcase bone-crunching kicks and unbelievable acrobatic maneuvers. It also has excessive gun violence, which often accompanies every twist and turn in the claustrophobic setting. One of the best action movies on Netflix today, The Raid‘s visceral intensity is undeniable.
Mandy (2018)
Starring Nicolas Cage as the vengeful Red Miller, Mandy is a nightmarish action horror movie set in the Pacific Northwest in 1983. It tells the story of how Red’s peaceful life with his girlfriend, Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough) is shattered by a horrific cult led by the sadistic Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache). Red’s grief-fueled rampage takes him on a rough journey to reach the person responsible for ruining his idyllic life with Mandy.
Mandy uses a dark psychedelic atmosphere, almost like a bad trip, to propel its heartbreaking story. Combining a revenge storyline with hallucinatory visuals creates some terrifying and bloody moments that even veer into the fantastical as Red goes against some otherworldly foes. With chainsaw-wielding murderers and fire-obsessed cultists involved, Mandy‘s distinct blend of violence and surreal beauty has to be seen to be believed.
Oldboy (2003)
Oldboy is a South Korean action-thriller film known for its stylized violence and jaw-dropping story, which follows Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), a man inexplicably imprisoned for 15 years and then just as weirdly released. He decides to discover who was responsible for his years of imprisonment and meets and falls in love with a young sushi chef, Mi-do (Kang Hye-jung), along the way.
Although not as action-packed as other ultra-violent movies to leave room for its well-written drama, Oldboy‘s fight sequences stand out for being bloody, brutal, and flawlessly choreographed. A legendary fight in a hallway sees Oh Dae-su using a hammer to defeat several goons, which is expertly captured in what seems like a continuous shot. The film’s notoriously disturbing ending also features hard-to-watch scenes of torture, with the protagonist’s confrontation with his tormentor revealing the point of all the bloodshed.
Battle Royale (2000)
Battle Royale is a legendary death game movie that redefined what the term meant despite being met with controversy when it first premiered. The cult classic movie takes place in a near-future Japan where, as a response to societal unrest, a class of high school students is selected each year to participate in a government-sanctioned game of life and death.
Battle Royale was banned in several countries thanks to its depiction of young characters engaging in alarming levels of savagery in order to survive. The violent scenes are varied and increasingly intense as the clock ticks, ranging from close-quarters combat to strategic killings. Through this graphic violence and choice of setting and participants, Battle Royale successfully establishes tropes that would go on to become staples in the genre.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Quentin Tarantino‘s Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a stylized and hyper-violent martial arts film that tracks the journey of The Bride (Uma Thurman), who seeks revenge on a group of assassins and their leader after they betray and try to kill her on her wedding day. Vowing to get even with her former colleagues, The Bride uses her deadly skills to find and destroy everyone responsible for her pain.
Known for its over-the-top action sequences and meticulously choreographed fight scenes, the violence in Kill Bill is darkly comedic, but that doesn’t make it any less brutal. There’s knife-throwing, decapitations, eye gouging, and more, which all build up to its infamous battle scene where The Bride goes against an entire squad of elite fighters called the Crazy 88. Kill Bill‘s unapologetic and excessive use of violence has made it a favorite, especially among Tarantino’s fans.
Ichi the Killer (2001)
A Japanese yakuza splatter film notorious for its shocking brutality, Ichi the Killer pushes violence to the forefront, putting it at the center of the movie instead of using it as a cinematic tool. Based on the manga of the same name, the film revolves around a sadomasochistic enforcer named Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano), who is searching for the mysterious and psychopathic killer Ichi.
Full of unflinching gore and chaotic camerawork to complement its frenetic fight sequences, the 2001 movie can be genuinely uncomfortable to watch at times. Some of its scenes feel like body horror, with exposed guts, slicing sound effects, and torture-filled interrogations seemingly designed to make some viewers look away. Ichi the Killer was immediately banned and censored in numerous countries when it first premiered, with many believing it crossed the line by displaying such extreme violence in mainstream cinema. Today, it’s considered a pioneer in the subgenre of ultra-violent films, with director Takashi Miike receiving acclaim for his bold contributions to the niche.
