2-Part Action Thriller Masterpiece ‘The Raid’ Lands on Free Streaming

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A truly exceptional action movie, and its fantastic follow-up, are now available to watch for free. Originally released in 2011, this film quickly became a modern classic, taking everyone by surprise and redefining the action genre. It’s been widely copied since then, and even after 15 years, it still stands out as one of the best in the business.

Gareth Evans wrote and directed this Indonesian action movie, which centers on a police squad sent to raid the home of a dangerous drug lord. The mission quickly falls apart, and a new recruit has to guide the remaining officers through the building to finish the job. Despite its simple story, the film was a huge success, earning far more than its small production budget.

Known as The Raid: Redemption in the US, this incredible action movie from Evans is a non-stop thrill ride. Featuring Iko Uwais as rookie cop Rama, it’s a raw and intense experience reminiscent of classic action films, packed with brutal fights and a tight, confined atmosphere. And now, you can watch The Raid for free on Pluto TV!

‘The Raid’ Inspired Some of the Action Genre’s Biggest Hits

With its extended shots, intense hand-to-hand combat, and reliance on real stunts instead of computer effects, The Raid had a huge impact on action movies. It inspired many films that followed, including the blockbuster John Wick, which clearly shows its influence.

As a huge action film fan, I’ve noticed how much Atomic Blonde owes to The Raid. That incredible stairwell fight? It’s clearly inspired by the brutal, close-up combat in Gareth Evans’ film. But what really struck me was how Charlize Theron’s character, Lorraine Broughton, actually looked exhausted after each fight – just like Iko Uwais in The Raid. Before The Raid came out, action heroes always seemed to have endless energy, like they could fight forever without even breaking a sweat. The Raid changed the game, showing us fighters who get tired, get hurt, and really have to struggle – making the action feel so much more realistic and impactful.

I’m constantly amazed by how much The Raid has influenced action cinema! It’s incredible to see its impact in films like The Night Comes for Us and Nobody, and even in TV shows like Netflix’s Daredevil. That Season 1 hallway fight in Daredevil? Seriously, it’s a direct nod to the incredible action in The Raid, and it’s something I’ll never forget!

Will ‘The Raid 3’ Ever Happen?

As a huge fan of The Raid, I, like a lot of people, have been desperately hoping for a third movie ever since The Raid: Berandal came out in 2014 (and hey, it’s even on Pluto TV now!). For a long time, Gareth Evans seemed pretty sure a third film wasn’t going to happen, mostly because so much time had passed. But apparently, things changed last year when he reconnected with Iko Uwais. He told Entertainment Weekly that he hadn’t seen Iko in about seven years, and that meeting really sparked something…

I left feeling inspired with a fresh idea for a potential ‘Raid 3’. I haven’t ruled it out, and I’m open to discussing it again. If I were to make it, I’d want to be certain it was the right story and the right approach.

We haven’t heard any updates recently, so it looks like the franchise is on hold until Chris Evans says something new. While we wait, you might enjoy watching The Raid and The Raid 2, both of which are currently available to stream on Pluto TV.

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2026-04-10 15:38