‘Ikatan Darah’ Review: A Revenge Film Packed To The Brim with Action [Fantastic Fest 2025]
On the first day of Fantastic Fest, I got a chance to dive into the high-octane thrill ride that is Ikatan Darah, directed by Sidharta Tata. I am easily won over by kicks and punches, so I knew I was going to be entertained. However, I did not expect Ikatan Darah to blow my tits off and evaporate my wig (I’m still bald this very day)! It felt like being strapped into a roller coaster that spent the first 20 minutes building up to the drop, while the rest of the movie takes us through loops and turns of martial arts and broken bones at 200 miles an hour.
The violence drove my hands to my mouth and my eyebrows to the ceiling. Ikatan Darah is a story of revenge and determination, which makes the action all the sweeter. The film follows Mega, a former athlete reconciling with her life after an injury, as she takes on loan sharks to protect her brother and their family home. If you enjoy movies like The Raid, The Raid 2, or The Night Comes For Us, then Ikatan Darah is a must-see!
Ikatan Darah incorporates exhilarating choreography that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. The stars, especially Livi Ciananta (Mega), throw hands and feet in every direction. The editing and angles allow the audience to see much of the impact from connecting hits. Instead of cutting, the camera often zooms in so we can see the bones break and bend out of place.
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Cinematographer Ferry Rusli’s camera work complements the great choreography by taking liberties with movement. There are scenes when the camera is stagnant during a fight, then it suddenly moves with a punch or kick. The unpredictable camera movements kept the onslaught of violence refreshing. There were wide shots that informed us of the scale of the brawl, but then the lens would zoom in tight to a one-on-one fight, leading the camera through the brawl, often with one person taking on multiple opponents. Rusli also utilized tight over-the-shoulder shots that gave video game vibes, and I loved every minute of it.
Great action movies give the audience an interesting protagonist to follow, and Mega fits the bill. We’re introduced to her during a fight. After she suffers an injury, she’s trying to navigate life, unable to do what she loves. The feeling is further compounded by the fact that her family made sacrifices for her athletic career. Although she is dealing with the heaviness of change, she still has fire in her. At work, she defends herself, even when it costs her the job. When her brother is in trouble, she is willing to put herself in debt to help him. She even pushes herself to kill to protect her family; I love characters who are willing to get their hands dirty.
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Her brother, Bilal (Derby Romero), puts his family in danger, but he redeems himself with small character moments throughout the film. The biggest mistake he made was in defense of his sister. He doesn’t have combat skills like Mega, but he makes himself useful in the fight. It helps to seal the idea that their bond is bigger than what is being thrown at them.
The leads pair well with the over-the-top (in the best way) villains. Action films thrive on a sense of urgency and high stakes. Ikatan Darah raises the stakes to new heights by introducing ruthless enemies for Mega to take down. We are introduced to a character named Tiger who only puts down his fritters to open a can of whoop-ass. Our biggest bad (at least until the very end) is dressed as a priest and uses scripture to justify his violence. They want their victims to suffer. They are willing to kill anyone, even if they’re not involved. The ruthlessness is mixed with levity at some points as the villains laugh in the most villainous way possible, look for places to drop off their food before a fight, and deliver solid one-liners.
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In addition to awesome action, protagonists you can root for, and chaotic antagonists, Ikatan Darah offers diverse fight locations that add an extra layer of entertainment to every action scene. One of my favorite fights takes place in a spa. Imagine a peaceful meditation recording as the soundtrack to your ribs getting kicked in. It adds a little humor to the extreme violence. The choreography also utilizes different aspects of the location; for example, the fight is dragged into the sauna.
The second half of the movie takes place in a village that is blocked off by the loan sharks. The script kicks it up a notch by including the villagers in the fight. They could have easily stood by or simply turned in Mega and Bilal, but they attempted to take a stand (even if it may have been motivated by money). This decision opens the action to include bigger brawls. It also gives the villagers a little personality. There’s also a scene that takes place in an old couple’s apartment. They simply excuse themselves to the next room, while a fight makes light work of their furniture. At some points, it felt like WWE with opponents flying through tables.
Ultimately, Ikatan Darah should be at the top of the watchlist for action-movie fans. It’s a showcase of incredible choreography and camerawork. This is an exciting production from Iwo Uwais’ ( The Raid, The Raid 2, Headshot, The Night Comes For Us) production company, Uwais Pictures. He has a lot of experience with stunts, fight, and action choreography, and that expertise was apparent throughout the film. While you will have to suspend your disbelief to swallow how long the fight lasts (everyone’s bones should be dust), it is absolutely worth it!
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Ikatan Darah
Summary
‘Ikatan Darah’ is an unforgettable tale of revenge, full of kicks, punches, and epic fight sequences.
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