This Certified Fresh Martial Arts Movie Stars A Hong Kong Action Legend

Hong Kong action movies are so breathtaking that they could easily be considered their own genre. If you’re looking for something to satisfy your fight-night cravings, there’s a perfect option waiting for you. Released in 2024, this film became the highest-grossing movie in Hong Kong this year and even stars a veteran action legend.

It’s not often that a stunt exhibition film manages to win over critics, make a drastic impact at the box office, and impress audiences worldwide. But it’s possible that this film may have passed under people’s radars, so it’s worth giving a shoutout to this absolute high-octane fight fest. The film in question is Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which brings together some of Hong Kong cinema’s iconic action talent in a brutal setting.

What Is Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In About?

Territorial Battles In 80s Hong Kong

The film is set against the 1980s backdrop of Hong Kong’s infamous Kowloon Walled City, several years after a bloody turf war. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In revolves around young refugee and underground fighter Chan Lok-kwan, who enters the city after getting into trouble with a feared triad boss. Lok-kwan meets Cyclone, a martial arts master turned local crime lord, who governs the enclave with a mix of authority and compassion. Some old, unresolved truths about Lok-kwan emerge, setting up an epic clash against the triads attempting to take over the Walled City.

Is Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In Based On A True Story?

And it isn’t just the plot that sounds stuffed; the film is also stacked with adrenaline-pumping action sequences to keep up with the story. Based on the novel City of Darkness by Yuyi, which was later adapted into a manhua (Chinese comic) by Andy Seto, the film has been in development for a long time, dating back to the early 2000s. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In captures a lost part of 1980s Hong Kong cinema at its finest and pays homage to it in the best possible way. This is evident in its massive commercial success, as well as its selection as Hong Kong’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Who is Sammo Hung?

Mr. Big In Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In

The veteran action star mentioned earlier is none other than Hong Kong legend Sammo Hung. In Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Hung plays Mr. Big, the syndicate crime boss from whom Lok-kwan steals drugs before fleeing to the Walled City. It’s Mr. Big and his gang, who attempt to take over the territory, setting the stage for all the action-packed battles that follow. It’s fitting that the 72-year-old actor takes on such a crucial role in the film, given his influence as one of the key figures who spearheaded the martial arts genre in the 1980s Hong Kong cinema.

Martial Arts Cinema’s Big Brother

Hung has starred in 75 films and worked on over 230 films in various capacities, including as a fight choreographer, stunt coordinator, action director, stuntman, and more. For the uninitiated, Sammo Hung was part of the Three Dragons trio in the 1980s, alongside global superstar Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. In fact, both Hung and Jackie Chan were often referred to as Dai Go, meaning “big brother.” Later, Hung earned the title Dai Go Dai, meaning “the biggest big brother,” which speaks volumes about his impact on the industry and culture.

Ensemble Cast And Original Plans

Starring alongside Hung in the film is another Hong Kong film stalwart, Louis Koo, best known for his work in Rob-B-Hood. Now, the central character, Chan Lok-kwan, is played by Raymond Lam, another actor with a significant standing in the industry. Originally, the martial arts vehicle was meant to include even more names in its missed ensemble cast. This included internationally renowned stars such as Chow Yun-fat, Andy Lau, and Tony Leung. It reportedly even had plans for some exciting cameos from Nicolas Cage and James McAvoy.

Who Was Supposed To Direct The Film?

Furthermore, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In saw a lot of shifts in its director’s chair too. At first, it was planned to be co-directed by John Woo and Johnnie To – two of the most celebrated Hong Kong action filmmakers, whose influences can be seen in Quentin Tarantino’s films. But the movie was revived much later in 2021, after being stuck in development limbo, and finally reached the capable hands of Soi Cheang, who has done a remarkable job with this hyperkinetic genre exercise.

Where to Watch Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. It is also available for rent on other platforms, like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and Spectrum.

The film hit theaters in Hong Kong and China on May 1, 2024, becoming the second-highest-grossing domestic film of all time, after 2023’s legal drama hit, A Guilty Conscience. Apart from being Hong Kong’s official Oscar submission, the film was also selected for the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. So, look no further than Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In if you’re in need of a pure and visceral martial arts action epic, on par with 1980s Hong Kong classics.