In the world of martial arts cinema, there is certainly a wide variety of fighting styles. Genre stars typically have common techniques, methods, and forms of combat that are consistent across their films. In some cases, the actors have an especially unforgiving view of martial arts. Bruce Lee set the standard for this approach in his classic 1973 film Enter the dragon.
Someone like Jackie Chan would be a good exception to this category. Although he is a master of martial arts, he generally relies on more technical, non-lethal combat styles. However, he remains an icon, and Jackie Chan still has martial arts films to come. In addition to the well-known names, there are still several actors in the genre with an extremely brutal fighting style.
10
Michael Jai Branco
Known for: Blood and Bone (2009), Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)
Even though Michael Jai White has a black belt in seven different areas of martial arts, his cinematic fighting style always seems very frontal. White often employs an enthusiastic street fighter approach while incorporating knowledge of established techniques. He doesn’t need to make sudden movements or dodges to take down his opponents. Instead of, he typically relies on his brute strength and combinations to get the job done. In Blood and Bone, White’s cruelty is on a whole different level.
The opening scene shows Isaiah Bone (Michael Jai White) in prison, cornered by other inmates. In a quick sequence, Bone brutally takes down his attackers, stabbing the first attacker (Kimbo Slice) in the neck. He is not afraid to use nearby objects to deliver lethal blows, and he does not hesitate when it comes to attacking the opposition.
9
Gordon Liu
Known for: Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984), The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978)
Gordon Liu is a certified legend in the genre. He originally made his name through films created by the Shaw Brothers, featuring impressive martial arts performances. Even though he already had a fully realized career throughout the 70s and 80s, his roles as Jonny Mo and Master Pai Mei in Kill Bill the franchise made him even more famous.
Liu tends to have a wide variety of fighting styles, but in specific projects he is especially ruthless. Although he tends to be patient with his attacks, he is not afraid to take down multiple enemies with fatal blows. In the final scene of Eight Diagrams Pole Wrestler (1984), Yang Liu-Lang (Gordon Liu) cruelly defeats a group of barbarians using only bamboo shoots.. As attackers approach him, he thrusts the batons in different directions, violently impaling and slashing his opponents.
8
Chuck Norris
Known for: Delta Force (1986), Way of the Dragon (1972)
Chuck Norris’ martial arts prowess is so legendary that he has literally become a living meme. Before entering the world of Hollywood, he had already learned and mastered several fighting styles. Norris appeared in many action films during the 1980s, solidifying his status as an epic fighter and star.
Whether fighting terrorists or evil ninjas, he is always relentless in pursuing his opponents.
Norris’ brutality has less to do with his lethal blows than with his stamina and physicality. In his films, Norris often fights a large volume of attackers at once, using only his hands and feet. Whether fighting terrorists or evil ninjas, he is always relentless in pursuing his opponents. Although he appears in numerous films that showcase his combat skills, he demonstrates a consistent lack of evasion. Norris seems to always be on the offensive, clashing with his enemies until they are finished.
7
Stephen Chow
Known for: Kung Fu Hustle (2004), Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Stephen Chow presents an interesting example of brutality in martial arts. He is often referred to as a filmmaker who reinvented the format of the martial arts genre. Both as an actor and director, Chow is often at the forefront of his films, showcasing a wide range of fighting techniques. However, his films often carry a more comical and exaggerated tone. Despite the absurdity, Chow’s combat scenes display a ferocious style.
In Kung Fu RampageSing (Stephen Chow) fights an entire army of gangsters and annihilates them. The film is a cult classic and it is confirmed that there is a Kung Fu Rampage sequence. In what appears to be an impossible battle, Sing doesn’t hold back, sending countless opponents crashing through walls and stamping their feet on concrete. It’s meant to be exaggerated, but it makes your fight even more relentless. Defying gravity with his punches, Sing sends his opponents flying into the air as they drop like flies.
6
Iko Uwais
Known for: Merantau (2009), The Raid 2 (2014)
Iko Uwais is an Indonesian martial arts movie star who often doesn’t get enough credit considering how excellent his fight scenes are. His first film, Merantau, established success for later films such as The invasion. Uwais employs the Indonesian martial art known as Silat, which incorporates tenants of armed and unarmed combat.
Uwais’ fighting style is fast and completely aggressive. He doesn’t stop when his opponent is simply down – he guarantees that they will not be able to retaliate. Furthermore, his techniques are not exaggerated, but they are efficient when it comes to inflicting damage. These qualities are highly apparent during their fights in The attack 2. Frequently snapping necks, throwing elbows and throwing head kicks, Uwais did not hold back at all. Even better, he is resourceful with the objects around him to aid him during combat, embodying the Silat style.
5
Tony Jaa
Known for: The Protector (2005), Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)
Tony Jaa is a Thai martial artist who first appeared on the silver screen in the 2003 action film. Ong-Bak: Muay Thai warrior. He helped pioneer the Thai action film genre and brought attention to the Muay Thai fighting style.. In competitive martial arts, Muay Thai competitions are as difficult as they seem. It’s all about exchanging strikes quickly, incorporating bone-breaking leg kicks, fists, elbows and knees.
It’s hard to watch and even harder to listen to, but it exemplifies Jaa’s bloodthirsty techniques.
The brutal nature of Muay Thai combat is reflected in its theatrical performances. Tony Jaa appears in many films, but some of his cruelest scenes are found in The Protector. In one scene, Kham (Tony Jaa) fights off countless attackers and violently breaks the bones of anyone who dares to touch him. It’s hard to watch and even harder to listen to, but it exemplifies Jaa’s bloodthirsty techniques.
4
Donnie Yen
Known for: Ip Man (2008), Ip Man 2 (2010)
As an actor, filmmaker, and martial artist, there is no doubt that Donnie Yen has carved out a significant position in the genre. He originally became involved in combat training at a young age, studying traditional Chinese martial arts. When it comes to fighting, Donnie Yen effectively walks the line between ruthless and secretive.
He has had important roles in several modern films, but in the context of martial arts, the Ip Man Franchising is the yen’s greatest achievement. It’s difficult to recognize Ip Man’s brutality because his movements always look effortless. He is usually on the defensive, countering his opponent’s advances. However, once the opportunity is created, he attacks with successive chain punches that bring the enemy into submission. It’s almost fun to see Ip Man deliver an absurd amount of blows to his opponent who is already on the ground.
3
Jimmy Wang Yu
Known for: Golden Swallow (1968), Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)
Jimmy Wang Yu was a Hong Kong-Taiwan martial arts film star who was a prominent figure in the genre during the 1960s and 1970s. Like Gordon Liu, Yu was involved in several early collaborations with the Shaw Brothers that propelled him to stardom. Considering his wide range of styles, it is difficult to categorize Yu as an overtly brutal fighter. However, certain films demonstrate his cold-blooded nature when it comes to martial arts.
In particular, Yu’s role as Silver Roc Hsiao Peng in the 1968 film Golden Swallow proves that he gets straight to the point at times. In the epic fight scene against the evil clan, Peng wastes no time. When the leader questions him, he quickly kills him with a thrown dart. As the scene continues, Peng uses his sword to take down the rest of his opponents. Swinging his blade, he effectively takes down each attacker with a single strike in a ruthless manner.
2
Bruce Lee
Known for: Way of the Dragon (1972), Fist of Fury (1972)
Bruce Lee was undoubtedly the most famous martial artist in the history of cinema. Considered the grandfather of many fighting techniques, Lee popularized nunchucks and created his fighting style known as Jeet Kune Do. His combat approach was very complex, but he always maintained a fast pace with frontal tactics during combat.
Given his filmography, there are countless examples of his brutality on screen. He was a very vocal fighter, shouting as he aggressively hit, kicked and punched his opponents with ferocity. In one of the most famous confrontations of the genre The Way of the Dragon shows Tang Lung (Bruce Lee) and Colt (Chuck Norris) fighting. During their epic fight, the two push themselves to the limit and show off their wide range of techniques. Lung finally kills Colt by breaking his neck, brutally ending the battle.
1
Steve Seagal
Known for: Out of Justice (1991), Above the Law (1988)
Steven Seagal is perhaps the best example of pure brutality in martial arts. Its characters are unique in the sense that the fight scenes never really involve it. Seagal is most associated with the fighting style of Aikido, a Japanese martial art. The main principle of Aikido focuses on using the opponent’s energy against him, and this makes sense given the nature of Seagal’s combat.
There are many Steven Seagal films that demonstrate his application of martial arts and Aikido. However, there are trends in their different projects. Typically, it doesn’t take more than a single hit to defeat any potential attacker. For example, in Out for JusticeGino Felino (Steven Seagal) effortlessly takes down several men in a bar, incapacitating each of them with punches and a cue ball. When it comes to Seagal, expect the fight to end as quickly as it starts.