The Raid On Rotten Tomatoes: Why Both Films Are Certified Fresh Masterpieces And The Latest 'Raid 3' Update

The *Raid* franchise remains a monolithic benchmark in modern action cinema, and its performance on Rotten Tomatoes reflects its status as a "Certified Fresh" masterpiece. As of December 2025, the critical and audience scores for both *The Raid: Redemption* and its sprawling sequel, *The Raid 2: Berandal*, confirm their enduring legacy, showcasing a rare consistency in quality that few action series ever achieve. This deep dive explores the Tomatometer breakdown, the films' impact, and the latest, most encouraging updates on the long-dormant *The Raid 3* from director Gareth Evans himself. The films, starring the incomparable Iko Uwais, are celebrated globally for their groundbreaking choreography, relentless pacing, and brutal, visceral application of the Indonesian martial art of Silat. They didn't just raise the bar for action movies; they redefined it, launching the careers of their main stars into Hollywood and establishing a new gold standard for fight sequences that filmmakers are still trying to match.

The Architects of Action: Full Cast and Crew Biography Profiles

The success of *The Raid* series is inseparable from the core creative team. These are the key entities who brought the relentless, high-octane vision to life, along with their most recent projects that continue to build their topical authority.

• Gareth Evans (Director/Writer): The Welsh filmmaker responsible for the entire franchise. Known for his intense, meticulous approach to action design.
  • Recent Projects: Evans has moved on to projects like the Netflix action flick *Havoc*, starring Tom Hardy, and has quietly wrapped production on a gritty reimagining of the 1967 Japanese noir thriller *A Colt Is My Passport*. [cite: 1, 3, 5, 7 in step 1]
• Iko Uwais (Rama): The lead actor and martial artist who plays the central protagonist, Rama. A master of Silat, his filmography is now defined by his incredible fight choreography.
  • Recent Projects: Uwais has starred in international productions like *Headshot*, *The Night Comes for Us*, *Mile 22*, and took on the villain role in *The Expendables 4*. [cite: 5, 12, 13, 15 in step 2]
• Joe Taslim (Jaka): Played the honest police sergeant Jaka in *The Raid: Redemption*. He is an Indonesian actor and former member of Indonesia's national Judo team (1997-2009).
  • Recent Projects: Taslim achieved major international recognition for his role as Bi-Han/Sub-Zero in the 2021 *Mortal Kombat* film. [cite: 6, 9 in step 2]
• Yayan Ruhian (Mad Dog/Prakoso): Known for his iconic, unhinged villain roles as Mad Dog in *The Raid* and the tragic Prakoso in *The Raid 2*. He is a martial arts choreographer and actor.
  • Recent Projects: Ruhian continues his action career with roles in films like *Boy Kills World* (2024), *The Shadow Strays* (2024), and the upcoming *Lone Samurai* (2025). [cite: 7, 10, 11 in step 2]
• Julie Estelle (Hammer Girl): Played the fan-favorite, silent assassin known as Hammer Girl in *The Raid 2*.

The Rotten Tomatoes Score Breakdown: Why The Raid is Undisputed

The Tomatometer scores for the *The Raid* films are remarkably high, especially for action cinema, where critics often favor thematic depth over pure spectacle. The consensus across the board is that these films are not just great action movies, but *essential* cinema.

The Raid: Redemption (2011) Scores

The original film, known for its claustrophobic, single-location setting, is a masterclass in streamlined action storytelling. The plot is simple: a SWAT team must clear a Jakarta apartment block run by a ruthless crime lord. The execution is anything but simple.

• Critics Score (Tomatometer): 87%
• Audience Score: 87%

The critics’ consensus highlights the film's economy and effectiveness: "No frills and all thrills, *The Raid: Redemption* is an inventive action film that's an explosive cocktail of martial arts, gore, and guns." [cite: 2, 6, 10 in step 1] The perfect match between the Critic and Audience Scores is a strong indicator of the film’s universal appeal and flawless delivery on its premise.

The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) Scores

Director Gareth Evans expanded the scope exponentially for the sequel, transforming the tight corridor action into a sprawling, two-and-a-half-hour crime epic. *The Raid 2* sees Rama go deep undercover to expose corruption within the Jakarta police and the powerful criminal underworld.

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• Critics Score (Tomatometer): ~80-84%
• Audience Score: Not explicitly listed in the consensus, but generally high, reflecting the film's status as a Certified Fresh sequel.

While the sequel's score is marginally lower, it is still firmly in the "Certified Fresh" category, a monumental achievement for a sequel that drastically changes tone and scale. The critical analysis praises its ambition, with the consensus noting that it delivers "a suitably hard-hitting sequel." [cite: 22 in step 1] The complex story, featuring massive car chases, prison brawls, and the iconic Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Man fight sequences, solidified its place as one of the best action sequels ever made.

The Lingering Question: What is the Latest Update on The Raid 3?

For years, the question of *The Raid 3* has been a constant source of speculation among fans. Director Gareth Evans had initially planned a third installment to conclude the trilogy, but his focus shifted to new projects, leaving the narrative thread of Rama's story unfinished.

A "New Concept" Emerges in 2024

Despite the long hiatus, the possibility of *The Raid 3* has seen a surprising and encouraging update in 2024. Gareth Evans, while busy with other high-profile projects, has recently hinted that the status of *The Raid 3* is "Definitely maybe," adding a new layer of hope for the franchise faithful. [cite: 12 in step 1]

Evans revealed that he has a "New Concept" for the film, suggesting that if it were to happen, it would be a fresh take rather than a simple continuation of the original planned story. [cite: 4 in step 1] This could mean a new narrative direction, perhaps even focusing on one of the other compelling entities from the expansive world of *The Raid 2*, such as the fate of Hammer Girl or a new character entirely.

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The director's current commitments, including the Tom Hardy-led *Havoc* and the recently wrapped *A Colt Is My Passport* reimagining, indicate that *The Raid 3* would not be his immediate next project. However, the fact that he is openly discussing a "New Concept" and giving hopeful updates in 2024 suggests the trilogy's conclusion is not entirely off the table, but merely waiting for the right moment and creative spark.

The Legacy: Why The Raid Films Remain Essential Viewing

The consistent "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes is more than just a score; it’s a testament to the films' influence on the global action genre. *The Raid* series is credited with introducing the raw, powerful, and acrobatic martial art of Silat to a massive international audience, inspiring countless choreographers and filmmakers. The films' impact is felt in several key areas:

• Choreography and Staging: The fight scenes, co-choreographed by Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, are celebrated for their clarity and brutality. Unlike many Hollywood films that rely on quick cuts and shaky-cam, *The Raid* uses long takes and wide shots, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the performers’ skill. This approach is now a gold standard for action directors.
• Global Talent Spotlight: The films propelled their Indonesian cast and crew onto the world stage, opening doors for actors like Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim to secure major roles in US and international blockbusters.
• Critical Acclaim vs. Genre Bias: The high Tomatometer scores prove that a pure, unadulterated action film can achieve critical "masterpiece" status when executed with precision and vision. Critics often describe the first film as a "stone-cold masterpiece" and "one of the most thrilling action movies ever made." [cite: 15, 16 in step 1]

Whether you are revisiting the tight, contained chaos of the original or diving into the expansive crime epic of *The Raid 2*, the Rotten Tomatoes scores serve as a reliable guide to two of the most important action films of the 21st century. The enduring quality and the fresh hope for *The Raid 3* ensure the franchise’s conversation will continue for years to come.