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The Raid

The Raid is a 2011 Indonesian action thriller film written, directed, and edited by Gareth Evans.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Raid is a 2011 Indonesian action thriller film written, directed, and edited by Gareth Evans. Starring Iko Uwais, the film follows a police tactical team trapped inside a Jakarta apartment block controlled by criminals. It was released in the United States as The Raid: Redemption and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Plot

The story centres on a tactical police unit assigned to raid a high-rise apartment block used by a violent drug lord and his associates. The mission fails when the criminals lock down the building, forcing the officers to battle their way through multiple floors.

Production

The Raid is an Indonesian production directed, written, and edited by Gareth Evans. It features a cast led by Iko Uwais and includes action and martial arts choreography as major elements.

Release and title

The film premiered in 2011 and was distributed in the United States as The Raid: Redemption. It is also known by the original Indonesian title Serbuan maut.

Reception and legacy

The film became widely noted for its intense action sequences and helped establish a sequel franchise. It was followed by The Raid 2 in 2014.

Key facts

  • The film follows an Indonesian police tactical squad on a raid of a drug lord's apartment block in Jakarta.
  • The squad becomes trapped and must fight its way through the building.
  • Gareth Evans wrote, directed, and edited the film.
  • A sequel, The Raid 2, was released in 2014.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, giving it an early Canadian screening and helping launch its international profile.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Raid about?
It is about an Indonesian police tactical unit trapped inside a criminal-controlled apartment block during a raid and forced to fight their way out.
Who directed The Raid?
The film was written, directed, and edited by Gareth Evans.
Who stars in The Raid?
The cast is led by Iko Uwais and includes Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Ray Sahetapy, and Yayan Ruhian.
What is The Raid's U.S. title?
It was released in the United States as The Raid: Redemption.
Is The Raid part of a series?
Yes. It was followed by a sequel titled The Raid 2, released in 2014.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raid_(2011_film)
    Supports: Release year, director, cast, plot, and alternate U.S. title.
  2. Wikipedia (Canadian) — https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raid_(pel%C2%B7l%C3%ADcula_de_2011)
    Supports: Country, plot, director, producer, and cast.
  3. Wikipedia — https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raid
    Supports: Toronto International Film Festival premiere and Indonesian martial arts action film identification.
  4. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raid
    Supports: U.S. release title and sequel information.