Gareth Evans

Gareth Evans is a Welsh film director, screenwriter and producer best known for pioneering the modern action genre with his breakthrough films The Raid and The Raid 2. Born on 5 March 1980 in St Athan, Wales, Evans grew up fascinated by martial‑arts cinema and spent his teenage years mastering kung fu and studying film theory. After graduating with a degree in film and television production from the University of Wales, Lampeter, he moved to Bangkok in 2005 to immerse himself in the local fight‑film community and to learn from the region’s stunt performers. His early work includes a series of low‑budget short films such as The Aggression (2009) and The Man Who Was Stolen (2010), which earned him a reputation for innovative choreography and gritty visual storytelling. The director’s first full‑length feature, Merantau (2010), introduced the Indonesian Silat martial art to international audiences and secured him a contract with Hollywood producer John McTiernan, leading to the production of The Raid (2011). The film’s relentless pacing, meticulously staged combat sequences, and stark urban setting redefined the action‑movie playbook, garnering critical acclaim and a cult following worldwide. Evans followed up with The Raid 2 (2014), expanding the narrative scope and delving deeper into the criminal underworld while retaining his signature kinetic style. In addition to his Indonesian successes, he directed the science‑fiction thriller Apostle (2018) and the action‑drama The Night Comes for Us (2018), further demonstrating his versatility across genres. Beyond directing, Evans has contributed to screenwriting, producing, and mentoring emerging talent, often emphasizing the importance of authentic fight choreography and cultural respect in cinema. His impact on contemporary action filmmaking continues to inspire a new generation of directors who seek to blend visceral combat with compelling storytelling.