Action Star Spotlight: Joe Taslim

When you talk about modern martial arts stars making serious waves in international action, Joe Taslim needs to be in the conversation. An Indonesian powerhouse with a background in judo and real-life competitive combat, Taslim brings a dangerous blend of precision, presence, and emotion to every role he takes.

He’s not just a fighter on screen—he’s a craftsman, blending brutality with grace, and has quietly become one of the most reliable names in action cinema today.

The Night Comes for Us (2018)

This is the one that made action fans worldwide stand up and take notice. As Ito, a high-ranking Triad enforcer trying to leave the life behind, Taslim is at the centre of one of the most violent, relentless, and gorgeously shot martial arts thrillers ever made.

Every fight is visceral, bloody, and personal—and Taslim moves through the chaos with poise, pain, and purpose.

He brings emotional weight to a role that could’ve just been about action—and still manages to deliver some of the hardest-hitting sequences ever put to screen.

The film is packed with talent (Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle), but Taslim stands tall as the conflicted, explosive anti-hero at the heart of it all.

Warrior (2019–2023)

In HBO’s criminally underrated Warrior, Taslim plays Li Yong, a calm but deadly rival in the Tong wars of 19th-century San Francisco.

His fight scenes are intense, sharp, and beautifully choreographed, but what really sets him apart is his quiet power.

As the right-hand man to the Long Zii Tong, he exudes respect, control, and menace, even when he’s not throwing punches.

When he does fight? He makes every strike count.

This role proved Taslim doesn’t need the lead role to own every scene he’s in.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

As Sub-Zero, Taslim fully stepped into the global spotlight. Cold, calculated, and fearsome, his take on Bi-Han was arguably the most memorable part of the entire film.

His presence, even behind a mask, was undeniable.

The opening fight sequence alone—a brutal showdown in feudal Japan—set the tone for the whole movie.

Taslim brought mythic intensity to a character that could have easily been reduced to CGI spectacle.

He signed on for multiple sequels, and it’s easy to see why. Fans want more—and he’s earned it.

Joe Taslim is the definition of a modern action star: disciplined, expressive, and physically elite. Whether he’s in a gangland bloodbath, a period-piece power play, or a supernatural showdown, he delivers.

He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. But he’s one of the most dangerous men in the room—and he proves it every time he’s on screen.