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It seems like the new center of martial arts movies has shifted a bit towards the West, and currently resides in the Asean countries, as films like “The Raid” (Indonesia), “Jailbreak” (Cambodia), “Buybust” (Philippines) etc. prove. This time, it was Malaysia’s turn to produce an entry in the category, with the creators of “Wira” approaching their project in the nominal way, giving the martial arts direction to Yayan Ruhian, who, after his success in “The Raid” has moved to Hollywood, being part of productions like “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “John Wick 3”. Furthermore, casting Dain Said in the role of the main villain was definitely a good decision, with the veteran director inducing the film with a sense that could be easily perceived as cult.

Hassan, who abandoned his family to join the army when he was young, returns to his hometown, only to find everything in shambles.

The hottest fight scenes are coming out of Southeast Asia right now. And fresh off the boat is the Malaysian actioner Wira, now available on Netflix and starring a bright young martial star named Hairul Azreen. The Southeastern charge into martial arts movies began in 2011 with the Indonesian breakout film, The Raid: Redemption. The sequel, The Raid 2, picked up the action right where the first film left off and a new vision for ultraviolence was born. Fight choregraphy turned visceral, merciless, and totally awesome.

The Raid films introduced the world to fight scene game-changers Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, who rose to such cult status in stunt person circles that they scored superfluous cameos in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Now Malaysia, which is just across the ocean from the Indonesian islands, is picking up the martial mantle with its own keen take on cinema. Wira tapped Ruhian as...