Luqman Hafidz
Hakin
Overview
Hakin, a police officer goes undercover and infiltrates the Red Tiger gang and manages to gain the gang's trust. Hakin not only succeeds in uncovering their crimes but also has to face the brutal criminals. However, he is betrayed, plagued by moral dilemmas and his loyalty is tested as he fights to uphold justice without his identity being known.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Undercover Cop Who Forgot How to Breathe
I kept waiting for Harimau Merah: Konflik Bermula to take a breath. Not the kind where the camera lingers on a quiet moment—though those are rare—but the kind where the story itself exhales, where the tension eases just enough to let the audience remember they’re watching a film, not a hostage video. It never comes.
From the first frame to the last, this is a movie that mistakes relentlessness for intensity, and in the process, it forgets that even undercover cops need to blink. Hakin (Luqman Hafidz) infiltrates the Red Tiger gang, a syndicate so ruthless that their initiation rituals apparently involve a lot of shouting and at least one knife fight. The premise is The Departed meets Infernal Affairs, but with less philosophical weight and more sweat.
So much sweat. The film’s color palette is a symphony of grays and sickly yellows, as if the entire movie were shot through a layer of cigarette smoke and regret. It’s the kind of aesthetic that announces, “This is serious business,” even when the business in question is a plot that moves with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
Hafidz’s performance is the film’s one saving grace, and even that is a qualified one. He’s got the physicality down—lean, coiled, a man who looks like he’s always one wrong word away from snapping. There’s a moment early on where Hakin sits in a dingy apartment, staring at his reflection in a cracked mirror, and Hafidz sells the exhaustion of living a lie with nothing more than the way his shoulders slump.
It’s the kind of quiet detail that makes you wish the script had given him more to work with. Instead, the film drowns him in exposition. Every other scene seems to involve someone explaining the stakes to Hakin, as if he’s forgotten why he’s there or, worse, as if the audience might have. “You’re undercover, remember?” his handler snaps at one point, and I couldn’t help but think, *Yes, we know.
You’ve told us. Many times.*
The action sequences are where Harimau Merah comes closest to justifying its existence. Chung and his stunt team deliver a handful of well-choreographed fight scenes that feel visceral and immediate, the kind where you can almost smell the blood and gunpowder. There’s a particularly brutal brawl in a warehouse that plays out in a single take, the camera following Hakin as he’s beaten within an inch of his life.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.2/10
"A gritty action thriller with strong performances but uneven pacing and a formulaic plot."
The film delivers intense action sequences and compelling lead performances, particularly from Luqman Hafidz and Ben Amir, which keep viewers engaged. However, the story feels predictable, and the pacing drags in parts, leaving some audience members wanting more depth and originality in the narrative.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Luqman Hafidz and Ben Amir stand out with their convincing portrayals, adding emotional weight to the action.
- Intense action sequences The fight scenes and stunts are well-choreographed and visually gripping.
- Gritty atmosphere The film’s dark tone and setting create a tense, immersive experience.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The storyline follows familiar tropes, making it feel unoriginal at times.
- Uneven pacing Some scenes drag, disrupting the flow and momentum of the film.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles lack depth, making them forgettable in the larger narrative.
Recommended for
Action thriller fans Fans of gritty crime dramas Luqman Hafidz admirers Malaysian cinema enthusiasts
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside Harimau Merah: Konflik Bermula—The Gritty Malaysian Crime Thriller Set to Ignite 2025
Silver Chung’s Harimau Merah: Konflik Bermula (2025) is shaping up to be one of Malaysia’s most intense crime dramas in years. The film, which follows an undercover cop’s descent into the brutal Red Tiger gang, promises a high-stakes blend of action, moral ambiguity, and betrayal. With a stacked cast and a director known for pushing boundaries, early buzz suggests this could be a breakout hit for Southeast Asian cinema.
The Plot: A Cop’s Descent into Chaos
At its core, Harimau Merah is a classic undercover thriller with a Malaysian twist. The protagonist, Hakin (played by Luqman Hafidz), infiltrates the Red Tiger gang, earning their trust while secretly gathering evidence. But as the line between cop and criminal blurs, Hakin faces brutal violence, internal betrayals, and a crisis of loyalty 
. The film’s premise—rooted in the tension between duty and survival—echoes classics like The Departed and Infernal Affairs, but with a local flavor.
What sets Harimau Merah apart is its unflinching portrayal of gang culture. The Red Tiger gang isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity with its own codes, hierarchies, and brutality. Early descriptions hint at visceral action sequences and a morally gray narrative, where Hakin’s choices may not always be heroic [2][4]. If executed well, this could elevate the film beyond a standard crime drama into a character study of corruption and identity.
The Cast: A Mix of Rising Stars and Veterans
Leading the charge is Luqman Hafidz, a rising star in Malaysian cinema, as Hakin. His ability to balance intensity with vulnerability makes him a compelling choice for the role—a cop teetering on the edge of losing himself . Alongside him, Ben Amir and Ammar Alfian Aziz round out the core cast, though their specific roles remain under wraps.
The supporting lineup is a who’s who of Malaysian talent. Jalaluddin Hassan and Esma Daniel, both seasoned actors, bring gravitas to the project, while Along Eyzendy and Pablo Amirul add fresh energy [3]. Ayez Shaukat Fonseka and Adam Shahz, known for their work in local dramas, complete the ensemble. The diversity of experience—from gritty action veterans to dramatic heavyweights—suggests a well-balanced cast capable of delivering the film’s high-stakes tension.
Silver Chung’s Vision: A Director to Watch
Director Silver Chung is no stranger to high-octane storytelling. While details about his previous work are scarce, his involvement in Harimau Merah signals a bold, uncompromising approach. The film’s premise—undercover cops, gang warfare, and moral decay—aligns with Chung’s apparent interest in dark, character-driven narratives [1][2].
One unanswered question is the film’s visual style. Will Chung lean into the gritty realism of The Raid or opt for a more stylized, neon-soaked aesthetic like John Wick? Given the subject matter, a raw, documentary-like approach seems likely, but until official trailers drop, it’s all speculation.
**What’s Next for Harimau Merah?**
With a 2025 release on the horizon, Harimau Merah is still in the early stages of buzz-building. No official trailers or promotional stills have surfaced yet, leaving fans to rely on plot summaries and cast announcements [1][2][4]. However, the combination of a gripping premise, a strong cast, and a director with a clear vision suggests this could be a major player in Malaysia’s crime-thriller scene.
Rumors of intense on-set training—including fight choreography and method acting—have circulated, though nothing has been confirmed [unconfirmed]. If true, it would align with the film’s high-stakes tone, where authenticity is key.
For now, Harimau Merah: Konflik Bermula remains one of 2025’s most anticipated Malaysian films. If it delivers on its promise, it could redefine the country’s action genre—and put Silver Chung on the map as a director to watch.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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