Fistful of Vengeance (2022) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)

Title Card - Fistful of Vengeance (2022)

Even if you didn’t watch Wu Assassin in 2019, you could easily pick up what Fistful of Vengeance wants you to get – a whole lot of stylized fight scenes.


Even if you didn’t watch Wu Assassin in 2019, you could easily pick up what Fistful of Vengeance wants you to get – a whole lot of stylized fight scenes.


Director(s) Rosel Reiné
Screenplay By Cameron Litvack, Jessica Chou, Yalun Tu
Date Released 2/17/2022
Where To Watch Netflix
Genre(s) Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Duration 1 Hour 36 Minutes
Content Rating TV-MA
Noted Cast
Tommy Lawrence Kao
Lu Xin Lewis Tan
Kai Iko Uwais
Preeya Francesca Corney
Ku Ai Qi Yayaying Rhatha Phongam
William Jason Tobin
Agent Zulu Pearl Thusi

Film Summary

After the death of his sister, Tommy, alongside friends Lu Xin and Kai, are hunting for her murdered and find themselves in Bangkok, Thailand. There they learn the head of the criminal underworld, Ku An Qi, is responsible and finds themselves battling her, and potentially a God.

Cast & Character Guide

Please Note: This is not an exhaustive list of every cast member.

Tommy

Kai, Tommy (Lawrence Kao), and Lu Xin in a Bangkok market
Kai, Tommy (Lawrence Kao), and Lu Xin

Tommy sees himself as the Charlie of Charlie’s Angels when it comes to his three friends, for while Kai and Lu Xin have an unfathomable level of strength and skill, he mostly works behind the scenes – unless he needs to be front and center.

Lu Xin

While, unlike Kai, Lu Xin doesn’t have god-like powers, his ass-kicking abilities would make you think otherwise.

Kai

Lu Xin (Lewis Tan) and Kai (Iko Uwais) standing side by side
Lu Xin (Lewis Tan) and Kai (Iko Uwais)

Known as the Wu Assassin, Kai fights off evil forces across the world, and with the death of Tommy’s sister coinciding with taking on beings who represent yin and yang, he has found his next target.

Preeya

Preeya (Francesca Corney) reactign to Jenny's death
Preeya (Francesca Corney)

Preeya is a Thailand native and love interest of Tommy, who aides him and the team in finding a way to get to Ku An Qi, and defeating her

Ku An Qi

Ku An Qi is one-half of the now split Pan Gu and has god-level control over their own and other people’s bodies. Also, they are a a notable figure in the criminal underworld.

William

The ying to Ku An Qi’s yang, William owns a major company in Thailand and paints themselves to be a far better being than their twin.

Agent Zulu

Agent Zulu is Lu Xin’s love interest who works for Interpol and was hunting Ku An Qi.

Other Noteworthy Information

  • Reason(s) for Film Rating: Nudity (Bare Breasts and behind), Gore, sexual situations

Review

Highlights

You Don’t Necessarily Have To Watch Wu Assassin To Understand What’s Going On

Disclaimer: I have not watched Wu Assassins nor remember it existing on Netflix’s platform. I entered this thinking it was a standalone fighting movie. Yet, even without the background, through flashbacks and relationships fleshed out enough to get a feel for who is who, I would say watching this movie is like skipping a book when adapted. Yes, you can tell some information has been simplified, and you are getting what needs to be known, but by no means do you feel that you can’t pick up and enjoy yourself without getting through the source material.

With that said, the story often gives you enough to string together the fight scenes but is by no means does the story strongly draw you in.

On The Fence

The Action Is Well-Choreographed But You Won’t Flinch

Agent Zulu (Perl Thusi) with her gun drawn
Agent Zulu (Perl Thusi)

When it comes to the fight scenes, only Agent Zulu uses guns, and while many have magical powers, the overwhelming majority of fights are punches, kicks, and grabs. This, at times, can be exciting, but between songs often being used during the fight scenes and no push for the sound to make blows flinch worthy, fights lose their luster quickly.

Mind you, they are intricately choreographed, but in the process of having the moves down, they don’t seem natural and lack an Atomic Blonde level of impact to help you understand, beyond blood and vocal noises, how much something really hurt.

Overall

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

Not necessarily having the strongest story is fine, but Fistful of Vengeance messes up by not giving the fight scenes you expect. For while bloody affairs with expertly choreographed fights, there is the lack of oomph in the hits, and the sounds used in the film don’t add onto each fist or kick’s impact. Leaving you with a decent story, okay performances, and the type of fight scenes that may not make you want to watch the series to get the full scoop but will not make Fistful of Vengeance feel like a waste of your time.

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Title Card - Fistful of Vengeance (2022)
Fistful of Vengeance (2022) – Review/ Summary (with Spoilers)
Who Is This For?
While I can't speak for fans or people who watched the series, if you're someone who just loves martial arts, this could do it for you.
Highlights
You Don't Necessarily Have To Watch Wu Assassin To Understand What's Going On
Disputable
The Action Is Well-Choreographed But You Won't Flinch
77

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