Iko Uwais, the martial arts sensation who redefined action cinema with The Raid franchise, is taking his talents to the dark side. In his latest film, Wings of Dread, now streaming on iQIYI, Uwais plays a ruthless hijacker who turns a commercial flight into a nightmare at 30,000 feet. The newly released trailer showcases his signature speed and brutality—but this time, he's the one causing the chaos.
The film follows air marshal Gu Chaoyang (Ashton Chen), who is returning home from his honeymoon when his plane is taken over by a gang of armed hijackers. What should be a peaceful journey quickly becomes a desperate fight for survival. Chen's character must navigate the cramped cabin, protect the passengers, and stop the hijacking—all while facing off against Uwais' bespectacled villain, who seems to relish every moment of making the marshal's job impossible.
Co-directed by Pengfei Qin (Red Cliff) and Chen, Wings of Dread leans into the classic "plane in peril" sub-genre that has given us hits like Passenger 57, Air Force One, Non-Stop, and Fight or Flight. But what sets this film apart is Uwais at the center of the violence. His presence means the punches land faster, the choreography gets nastier, and in-flight service might just include a knuckle sandwich.
For fans of mindless action movies, this is a must-watch. The trailer builds tension by turning the passenger plane into a flying pressure cooker, with every aisle and seat becoming a potential battleground. It's the kind of close-quarters combat that Uwais excels at—reminiscent of the legendary hallway fights from The Raid: Redemption.
Since breaking out in The Raid movies, Uwais has appeared in Hollywood productions like Mile 22, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, The Force Awakens, and Expend4bles. However, those roles often didn't give him the space to fully showcase the martial arts prowess that made him a global star. Wings of Dread changes that, letting him do what he does best—delivering bone-crunching action with terrifying efficiency.
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers or just love seeing a master at work, this film delivers. The entire story unfolds on a single aircraft, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that amplifies every punch and kick. It's a fresh take on the hijacking thriller, with Uwais proving that he can be just as compelling as a villain as he is as a hero.
Wings of Dread is now streaming exclusively on iQIYI. For those looking for more high-octane entertainment, check out our list of binge-worthy thrillers to keep the adrenaline pumping.
