Gayong Review: Faisal Ishak Takes Silat From Arena to War

This Gayong review starts with a simple question: can a martial arts biopic honour a national hero and still thrill an audience? Faisal Ishak's film, released in Malaysia on 8 May 2025, mostly manages the first and sometimes delivers the second. It is a proud, culturally rich action drama that works best when the fists and staffs come out.

Gayong Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Gayong plot is a biography of Dato' Meor Abd Rahman, the grandmaster who founded Silat Gayong Malaysia. We meet him as a young man in Singapore, working for the British military and sharpening his skills. From there, the film follows his path toward the upheaval of the Japanese occupation, with his martial art at the centre of the struggle.

Naza Manas wrote the screenplay, and the structure is a classic rise-of-a-master journey. It moves from competition to something far more dangerous, as he looks to defend his people. I will leave the specifics of that journey for you to discover.

Fans of the genre will find plenty of familiar beats. What gives them weight is the real person behind them and the living tradition the film celebrates. Browse more biography movie reviews if that mix appeals to you.

What Works in Gayong

The fight choreography is the film's strongest card. Viewers on Letterboxd single out the action as neatly staged and well shot, and that matches what the premise promises. Silat has a fluid, close-quarters rhythm that suits the camera, and the film lets it breathe.

The period detail also helps. Early audience comments praise the costumes and props, saying the era looks believable, even if there is room for improvement. Combined with a story rooted in Malay culture, it feels sincere rather than generic.

• Well-shot silat sequences with clear, readable choreography

• Convincing period clothing and props

• A real sense of respect for traditional Malay martial arts

If you follow action movie reviews, you will recognise the satisfaction of hand-to-hand fights built on a real discipline rather than wire gimmicks.

Gayong Cast and Performances

The Gayong cast is led by Beto Kusyairy as Meor, carrying the film from youth into the role of a teacher and leader. Nabila Huda plays Che' Som, and Syafie Naswip appears as Mat.

There is also international martial arts muscle. Yayan Ruhian, widely known for his silat work in action cinema, plays Wak Kusang. Eric Chen appears as Master Chan, and Hiromitsu Takeda plays Yamada, a name tied to the film's wartime backdrop.

The ensemble gives the film a lived-in feel, and the physical performances are the highlight. Dialogue scenes are where the cast has less to work with, which brings us to the film's weaker side.

Where Gayong Stumbles

Pacing is the most common complaint. One viewer describes the opening act as dragging before it picks up once Meor starts teaching Silat Gayong to the locals. That fits the film's shape: the early setup takes its time, and the energy rises when the mission becomes clear.

The dialogue draws criticism too. Some reviewers wanted sharper writing, and the drama between fights can feel plain next to the action. Another recurring note is the CGI and screen effects, which look less polished than the practical combat.

It is worth noting that these points come mostly from user reviews. I found no published critics' consensus and no Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic scores, so treat the picture as early and informal. IMDb users currently give it 6.7/10.

Is Gayong Worth Watching?

Yes, if you care about martial arts cinema or Malaysian history, Gayong is worth watching. It is not a flawless biopic, but it is an earnest one, and its best fight scenes justify the ticket. The 110-minute runtime has some slack in the first act, yet the film finds its footing.

Director Faisal Ishak keeps the focus on the discipline and the man who shaped it. That clarity gives the film a purpose that many generic action movies lack. For more background, see the Gayong page on IMDb. Note that Malaysia classifies it as suitable for viewers aged 13 and above.

Who Will Enjoy Gayong

• Martial arts fans who want to see silat on screen, staged with care

• Viewers interested in Malaysian history and the story of a real grandmaster

• Audiences who can forgive a slow opening and uneven dialogue for strong fight scenes

If you enjoy war-era stories, our war movie reviews cover similar territory.