Fantastic Fest 2025 Review: Road to Vendetta

Jeffrey Ngai stars as Number Four in La Ying’s Road to Vendetta, a Hong Kong assassin thriller premiering at Fantastic Fest 2025.

Hong Kong filmmaker La-Ying brings a sharp and stylish edge to Fantastic Fest 2025 with Road to Vendetta, an assassin-driven action feature that balances intimate character drama with bursts of furious choreography.

The story follows Number Four (Jeffrey Ngai), a young hitman raised in the shadowy confines of “the Organization.” Trained to kill but haunted by the loss of his mother, his latest assignment sends him from Hong Kong to Tokyo, where he collides with Kumo (Sara Minami) and a network of gangsters who test his discipline, loyalty, and humanity.

Jeffrey Ngai gives a standout performance, portraying Number Four as cold and detached on the surface but simmering with unspoken grief and intensity. His chemistry with Minami grounds the film, providing an emotional thread beneath the gunfire, betrayals, and neon-soaked landscapes.

Action is the obvious draw, and the choreography delivers. The fights are brutal, fast, and inventive, even if the cinematography sometimes relies too heavily on close-ups, obscuring the clarity of the movements. While purists may long for wider frames, the stylistic approach adds a gritty, claustrophobic energy that reflects Number Four’s isolation.

Like the best Hong Kong cinema, Road to Vendetta isn’t just about the fighting—it’s about family, trust, and how vendettas shape us for better or worse. Humor sneaks through the violence, ramen-shop conversations add texture, and the environments—from sleek Tokyo alleys to grimy industrial hideouts—paint a world both beautiful and dangerous.

If the mainstream audience may find the stylistic choices challenging, festival-goers will recognize the craft and ambition. This is a film that feels both of its lineage and refreshingly its own.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

With striking visuals, standout choreography, and a compelling lead performance, Road to Vendetta cements itself as one of the most exciting action titles of the fest and a promising foundation for a larger assassin universe.