Gareth Evans

Biography

Gareth Huw Evans (born in 1980) is a highly influential Welsh film director, screenwriter, editor, and action choreographer. He is best known for revitalizing the action genre, particularly through his work in Indonesian cinema.

🎬 Biography and Career Breakthrough

Evans was born and raised in Hirwaun, Wales, and earned a Master of Arts degree in screenwriting from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales). His career trajectory fundamentally changed when he was hired to direct a documentary about the Indonesian martial art pencak silat. This experience led him to discover martial artist Iko Uwais, who was working as a deliveryman at the time.

Evans cast Uwais as the lead in his 2009 film Merantau, which served as his introduction to action filmmaking and the broader exposure of pencak silat to global audiences.

💥 The Raid Franchise and Signature Style

Evans achieved international acclaim and set a new benchmark for action cinema with the release of The Raid (2011) and its sequel, The Raid 2 (2014).

Impact: These films are celebrated for their intensely kinetic, visceral, and intricately choreographed fight sequences, featuring a strong emphasis on practical effects and minimal reliance on quick cuts. They are widely credited with popularizing pencak silat worldwide.

Roles: Evans often undertakes multiple roles in his projects, serving not only as the director and writer but also as the editor and action choreographer.

🎥 Subsequent Work and Genre Versatility

While known primarily for his action thrillers, Evans has demonstrated his versatility as a director.

In 2018, he directed the folk horror film Apostle, which, while containing brutal violence, marked a departure from his signature martial arts focus.

He also co-created, co-wrote, and co-directed the critically acclaimed action crime drama television series, Gangs of London (2020–present).

His subsequent projects, such as the 2025 action film Havoc, continue to showcase his distinct visual style and proficiency in the action genre.

Evans lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, with his wife and daughter during his work on the Raid films before the family moved back to Wales.