Based on the Yi Yu graphic novel “City of Darkness,” Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is the latest martial arts crime thriller out of Hong Kong. Boasting death-defining stunt work and massive set pieces, director Soi Cheang delivers a gritty look at life in the Walled City. The Walled City, a towering structure of houses in Hong Kong in the late 1980s, becomes a perfect setting for Cheang’s brutal fight sequences and themes of the found family during an era of uncertainty. Raymond Lam stars as Chan Lok-Kwan or “Lok” amid other action film veterans, most notably Summo Hung, known for his collaboration with Bruce Lee and starring with Jackie Chan in classics such as Project A and Wheels on Meals. Bringing together a stellar cast of action stars and skilled stunt teams the film sets itself up to be an excellent post-The Raid 2 martial arts film.
Lok has immigrated to Hong Kong, hoping to find a life of opportunity. When a local gang cheats him out of an ID card, Lok desperately steals a bag of cocaine and flees to the Walled City. Despite escaping the gang, Lok soon finds himself in a rough world marred with a past of violence and gang warfare, ruled by “Cyclone” (Louis Koo). Warring sides, mesmerizing stunts, and bone-breaking fights follow as Lok dives deeper into the underworld of the Walled City in search of a better life. What begins as a thrilling crime drama soon becomes a found family epic, as friendships are forged by weaving seamless action into criminal lore.
“…Lok soon finds himself in a rough world marred with a past of violence and gang warfare…”
Seeing Summo Hung still throwing beautiful sidekicks at 72 is something to behold. Though he’s used more sparing than expected, Hung brings classic Kung-fu action to the modern mayhem of Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Raymond Lam brings palpable emotion to Lok’s immigration dream, elevating his friendships beyond quick character connections. Louis Koo brings gravitas to Cyclone, wearing the aged scars of the grizzled gangster well and giving the crime lord heart. Many characters in the film are on one note, but everyone dishes out plenty of intense martial arts action and improvised weaponry worthy of Hung’s films with Jackie Chan.
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In blends influences and genres well, creating a tapestry of martial arts cinema with each fight sequence. The film takes the brutality of Man from Nowhere and The Raid mixed with the Muay Thai of Ong-Bak, the classic Kung-Fu of Ip Man, and even the comedically supernatural feats of Kung-Fu Hustle. Cheang and the performers have created a fusion of everything cool happening in martial arts films from the last 15 years and thrown it together in a colossal labyrinth of soaring housing structures. The plot is familiar, but the plot is a perfect vehicle for the superb stunt performances throughout the film. Stunts, choreography, and overall aesthetic make this a standout for recent Hong Kong films.
The action will draw audiences in and seeing so many influences within the action will make this a modern classic among martial arts cinephiles. Stunts and fight choreography blend classic and contemporary with the kinetic grace of a timeless Donnie Yen or Jet Li flick. Stunts throughout the Second Act and during the final showdown are incredible. Kenji Kawai’s score accents every punch landed. And Sammo Hung proves he is martial arts royalty with every minute of screen time. Some characters may lack depth, but each shares a tangible “cool factor.” Twilight of Warriors: Walled In is one of the best action films of 2024 and one of the best martial arts films in recent memory.
"…one of the best action films of 2024 and one of the best martial arts films in recent memory."
