The Raid (2012)

Kernel Score: 84% · 3,773 ratings · Rated R

Genres: Action, Thriller, Crime

Released: 2012-03-22

Runtime: 101 minutes

Is The Raid worth watching?

Must-watch. A police team fights up a tower block run by a crime boss. It's one long, relentless fight, with superb choreography and almost nothing else, and for action fans that's the point.

Watch it if you

  • want the best martial-arts action in years
  • like simple setups executed brilliantly
  • enjoy tense, brutal fights

Skip it if you

  • dislike graphic violence
  • want characters or story depth

Best for: Adrenaline night in

Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.

Where to watch The Raid

  • Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
  • Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube

US availability, updated 2026-10-23.

Overview

Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the run-down apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building's lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the sixth floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city's worst to survive their mission. Starring Indonesian martial arts sensation Iko Uwais.

The Raid parents' guide: ages 16+

Parents need to know that The Raid is an extremely violent R-rated action film about a SWAT team trapped in a gang-controlled building.

  • Violence & scariness: Intense — Intense, sustained martial-arts and gun violence throughout as police fight drug gang members trapped in a tower block.
  • Language: Some — R-rated film with some strong language.

Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.

Movies like The Raid

If you liked The Raid, these are the movies we'd watch next.

  • The Raid 2 (2014) — 86%: The sequel, with a bigger, more ambitious crime story.
  • John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) — 86%: Very physical, stylish action with elaborate fights.
  • John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) — 84%: Fast, precise gun-fu action set pieces.
  • Extraction 2 (2023) — 84%: Long, brutal action sequences with a lone fighter.
  • SPL: Kill Zone (2005) — 76%: Hard-hitting Hong Kong action with strong fight scenes.
  • Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) — 88%: Martial-arts action with a taste for brutal revenge.

Director

Gareth Evans

Cast

  • Iko Uwais as Rama
  • Joe Taslim as Jaka
  • Donny Alamsyah as Andi
  • Yayan Ruhian as Mad Dog
  • Pierre Gruno as Wahyu
  • Ray Sahetapy as Tama
  • Tegar Satrya as Bowo
  • Iang Darmawan as Gofar
  • Eka 'Piranha' Rahmadia as Dagu
  • Verdi Solaiman as Budi

The Raid FAQ

Is The Raid worth watching?

Must-watch. A police team fights up a tower block run by a crime boss. It's one long, relentless fight, with superb choreography and almost nothing else, and for action fans that's the point.

Where can I watch The Raid?

In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.

Is The Raid OK for kids?

The Raid is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 16+. Parents need to know that The Raid is an extremely violent R-rated action film about a SWAT team trapped in a gang-controlled building.

What movies are like The Raid?

If you liked The Raid, try The Raid 2, John Wick: Chapter 4, John Wick: Chapter 2 and Extraction 2.