‘Into the Badlands’ Is the Most Underrated Martial Arts Action Series

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After the huge popularity of Smallville, director Alfred Gough felt the pressure to create another hit. Responding to fan requests, he developed a unique and fresh series—something different from what was typically seen on American television. Working with writer Miles Millar, he created a post-apocalyptic action thriller that many consider to be the best martial arts action series of the 21st century.

Daniel Wu, a famous martial arts actor from Hong Kong, plays a skilled and rebellious fighter in Into the Badlands – one who can defeat dozens of armed opponents with incredible ease. The series also features strong performances from Edi Gathegi and Sarah Bolger. Compared to other shows created by Al Gough, Into the Badlands is notably darker and more intense, offering a thrilling and energetic tribute to classic samurai films. It’s a visually stunning and consistently engaging show, even though it hasn’t received the attention it deserves, despite being easy to watch and follow. It really seems like a great series that’s been overlooked!

There Are No Guns in ‘Into the Badlands’… Just Melee Weaponry


Netflix

Set 500 years in the future, Into the Badlands depicts a world devastated by war, where traditional society has collapsed. Powerful feudal barons now rule, and while some technology like electricity and vehicles survived, guns are gone. Instead, people fight with swords, crossbows, and other close-combat weapons. The story follows Sunny, a skilled fighter working for the ruthless Baron Quinn. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters M.K., a young boy with a strange and dangerous ability.

The show features the classic action hero we all love. Unlike everyone else in this ruined world, who seem to delight in brutally killing their enemies without remorse, Sunny tries hard to avoid violence and only resorts to it when he has to. He wants to be a peaceful person, but keeps getting pulled into fights. It’s ironic that, despite his reluctance, he ends up killing just as many people as the others – a fact visually represented by the tattoos marking each of his kills.

Despite having a much smaller budget and faster production schedule than many other martial arts shows, Into the Badlands doesn’t feel cheap or hurried. It’s as well-written and visually stunning as big-budget action movies. The show really shines thanks to the work of veteran Hong Kong choreographer Ku Huen-chiu, who uses the wandering warrior premise to create incredible fight scenes. These sequences are more intense and graceful than anything currently seen in most films. The characters are compelling, and the story moves at a brisk pace, making three seasons fly by.

‘Into the Badlands’ Originates From Some of the Best Chinese Literature


AMC

Though Into the Badlands feels like a standard American show, it’s heavily inspired by Asian martial arts films. You can see this influence in almost every scene, from the beautiful landscapes to the precise camera work and expertly edited fight sequences. The show, filmed in the scenic locations of Dublin and County Wicklow, is made even more visually striking by its use of wide-angle shots.

It’s disappointing that Into the Badlands only lasted three seasons. Actor Sherman Augustus shared that a fourth season was planned, which would have delved into the backstory of the show’s dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. There were also ideas for a spin-off series, set 20 years later and following Sunny’s son as a young man, but those plans were ultimately canceled. If you enjoyed the show and want more of the story, you might like to read Journey to the West, the classic Chinese novel that inspired Into the Badlands.

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Written in the 16th century during China’s Ming dynasty and credited to Wu Cheng’en, this novel is a captivating read – not a single page feels unnecessary. The story is filled with entertaining adventures where supporting characters often fade into the background, ensuring your focus remains on the main heroes. Richly layered with elements of Chinese folklore, religion, and philosophy – including Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism – it’s a foundational work for the popular xianxia genre, which blends martial arts with fantastical worlds. It’s a book you won’t want to miss!

Most importantly, don’t miss Into the Badlands.



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2026-03-17 00:36