6 Bloodiest Action Movies of All Time

Stephen King has pointed out that superhero movies often avoid showing realistic violence. He noted in an interview with The Times U.K. that even when villains cause massive destruction, there’s usually no blood shown. Interestingly, this lack of gore isn’t new – many classic action movies from the 1980s and 90s, starring actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chuck Norris, also rarely depicted blood or realistic injuries. Characters would simply fall after being shot, without any graphic detail.

Over the past few years, action movies have become much more graphic, as both viewers and filmmakers have become more comfortable with on-screen violence. These films often aim for a realistic portrayal of conflict. However, the high level of violence usually earns them an R-rating, which means younger fans of the genre can’t see them. The question of whether to reduce the intensity is a larger discussion for another time. Here are some movies where characters frequently find themselves in dire situations – if they survive, that is.

‘Kill Bill: Vol 1’ (2003)

Miramax Films

Certain jobs are incredibly dangerous, and Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 discovers this firsthand. While preparing for her wedding in El Paso, she’s brutally attacked by her former colleagues from the Deadly Vipers Assassination Squad, led by her ex-lover, Bill (David Carradine). Severely injured, she reveals to Bill that she’s carrying his child, but he still shoots her. Miraculously surviving, she recovers over four years and sets out on a quest for revenge.

Compared to Kill Bill: Vol. 2, the first film features more intense and graphic violence, from the kitchen brawl to the House of Blue Leaves fight. One particularly striking scene, influenced by the film Lady Snowblood, is a sword fight in a snowy garden. The contrast between the bright white snow and the spurting blood creates a visually stunning and almost artistic effect.

As a huge movie fan, I found this martial arts film really moving – it’s got a big, emotional core that never feels fake. Tarantino absolutely deserved all the praise he got, especially for how he directed his actors. Uma Thurman is incredible, totally transforming herself into a character who’s far from glamorous. And if you know your film history, you’ll notice Tarantino is a genius at taking inspiration from older movies, kind of like a master remixer – Lady Snowblood is a clear influence, but there are nods to so many others in the genre too.

‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’ (2025)

Sony Pictures Releasing

Sisu: Road to Revenge brings back Aatami Korpi (Jorma Tommila), a Finnish war veteran known for his incredible resilience. The film follows Aatami as he travels to the site where his family was tragically killed during WWII. He begins tearing down their home, planning to transport the materials and rebuild in a safer place as a tribute to them. However, when the Red Army discovers he’s on their territory, they unleash Igor Draganov (Stephen Lang)—the man responsible for his family’s deaths—to track him down.

The original film was violent, but Road to Revenge is even more extreme. There’s one scene in particular that’s shockingly brutal: a captured Aatami is tortured on a train until he’s covered in blood. He manages to escape and, while carefully avoiding waking up sleeping guards, has to walk across broken glass. The main character endures a tremendous amount of punishment, so it’s a surprise he survives to the end.

What truly stands out in Sisu 2 is its focus on action over dialogue – there are fewer than 50 lines spoken throughout the entire film, and the main character barely speaks at all. The film features excellent performances from Stephen Lang, who plays a ruthless and tormented hunter, Jorma Tormilla as the enduring hero, and Richard Brake as a KGB officer. The stunning visuals are also noteworthy, thanks to the work of cinematographer Mika Orasmaa.

‘Machete’ (2010)

20th Century Studios

It’s surprising to see a film where Steven Seagal’s character actually loses a fight, but that day may come! In Machete, ex-federal agent Machete Cortez (played by Danny Trejo) is framed for a crime after being asked to kill the crooked Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). A man like Machete isn’t one to take things lying down, so he embarks on a violent quest for revenge.

Picking the most shocking violent moment in Machete is tough – there are just so many! The hospital scene is incredibly over-the-top, with blood sprays reminiscent of Spartacus. It’s the kind of movie where the hero literally uses an enemy’s intestines as a rope. Seriously! And if you have any complaints, don’t bother telling Machete… he’s a killer. In fact, he kills even more people in this film than he does in Machete Kills, the sequel.

Robert Rodriguez’s latest action movie is a fast-paced, over-the-top thrill ride that clearly takes inspiration from older, more gritty films. It’s filled with excessive violence – scenes that probably should have been stopped during filming, but weren’t – and features plenty of action. Steven Seagal plays the bad guy, and the film also stars Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Alba.

‘The Raid: Retaliation’ (2014)

XYZ Films

Following a brutal attack during an apartment raid, skilled police officer Rama goes deep undercover in Jakarta’s criminal world. To maintain his cover, he’s sent to prison, where he unexpectedly befriends Uco, the unpredictable son of a crime boss, and Bangun. While inside, Rama discovers widespread corruption, revealing a dangerous connection between the police and the city’s criminals.

The Raid 2 is a surprisingly emotional and gritty action movie with a more compelling story and clearer motivations for its violence. While the first film kept the action contained within a single location, this sequel takes Rama on a brutal journey through diverse settings like prisons, nightclubs, and kitchens, leaving a trail of destruction. The prison fight is particularly shocking, filled with graphic bone breaks and a gruesome mix of blood and mud. The intense kitchen brawl is a close second, featuring a chaotic mix of knives, broken objects, and hand-to-hand combat.

The fight choreography deserves a mention – it’s truly stunning, largely featuring the Indonesian martial art of pencak silat. The sequel’s intense violence led to an R-15 rating in Japan, with four minutes of footage removed. It was also completely banned in Malaysia.

‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ (2014)

87Eleven

John Wick keeps falling into the same trap. He thinks he can retire to a normal life after getting revenge in the first movie, but it never lasts. This time, a mafia boss forces him to kill his own sister to seize her position within the High Table, the organization that rules the assassin world. The story in John Wick 2 gets pretty complicated, but honestly, it’s all worth it for the incredible action.

This sequel features a remarkably high number of on-screen deaths throughout the series. The action sequences, like the fight in the Rome museum and at the New York Continental, are filled with brutal, close-up combat. Enemies fall quickly, with realistic injuries and a lot of blood.

Chapter 2 showed us just how much bigger the series could become. While the first movie was similar to Taken, this one raised the stakes considerably. Keanu Reeves is fantastic, delivering nuanced expressions and expertly handling weapons – truly some of his best work on film.

‘The Night Comes for Us’ (2018)

Netflix

Ito, a highly skilled enforcer from the film The Night Comes for Us, is known for completing difficult and dangerous tasks. However, during a violent attack on a village, he unexpectedly saves a young girl’s life. This act of mercy goes against the rules of his criminal organization, leading his boss to send his former partner, Arian, and a team of assassins to eliminate him. The question is, will they succeed?

This movie is a visually striking, action-packed experience filled with intense violence and strong language. It’s famous for its over-the-top scenes, like the incredibly memorable nightclub fight involving the Triads. Expect brutal combat with knives and machetes, and a lot of bloodshed. The climactic battle in the warehouse is an unforgettable, high-energy finale.

Everyone loved Iko Uwais as the hero in The Raid, so it was surprising to see him play a villain. He’s fantastic in this gritty film that doesn’t hold back when showing the dark side of Jakarta. Joe Taslim also delivers a great performance. The character Ito even shares a bit of wisdom, saying, “We all make choices. But in the end, our choices make us,” which adds an interesting philosophical layer to the story.

2025-12-17 00:38