Hairul Azreen
Arman Rahmat bin Anuar / Jerung
Overview
The true events of Lieutenant Commander Arman Anwar of PASKAL, an elite unit in the Royal Malaysian Navy, and his team's mission to rescue the MV Bunga Laurel, a tanker which was hijacked by Somalian Pirates in 2011.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Sea as Both Battlefield and Home
I’ve always been wary of military action films that treat war as little more than a backdrop for explosions and heroics. There’s a kind of cinematic shorthand for these stories—gritty filters, slow-motion dives behind cover, the obligatory “one last mission” speech—that turns real stakes into spectacle. Paskal, Adrian Teh’s 2018 Malaysian thriller about the Royal Malaysian Navy’s elite PASKAL unit, could have easily fallen into that trap. Instead, it does something far more interesting: it treats the ocean as both a battleground and a character, a vast and indifferent force that shapes the men who navigate it.
The film is based on the real-life 2011 hijacking of the MV Bunga Laurel, a Malaysian tanker seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. That’s a story with built-in tension—hostages, high seas, the clock ticking—but Paskal isn’t content to just reenact the rescue. It spends its first act immersing us in the world of these naval commandos, not through exposition-heavy briefings, but through the physicality of their work.
The cast underwent months of training to authentically portray PASKAL operatives, and it shows. These aren’t super-soldiers with perfect hair and unshakable confidence; they’re men who move with the deliberate efficiency of professionals, whose camaraderie feels earned rather than scripted. When they’re not in combat, they’re hauling gear, checking equipment, or staring at the horizon like sailors have done for centuries.
The film understands that war, for these men, isn’t just about the firefights—it’s about the endless hours of preparation, the weight of the gear, the way the sea both sustains and threatens them.
Teh’s direction is at its strongest when it lingers on these details. There’s a scene early on where the team practices close-quarters combat in a cramped ship corridor, their movements tight and controlled. The camera doesn’t cut away for dramatic effect; it stays with them, letting the tension build in real time.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.8/10
"A solid action thriller with impressive naval combat scenes but held back by uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters."
Viewers appreciate the realistic portrayal of naval special forces operations and the intense action sequences, which stand out as the film's strongest elements. However, the story struggles with pacing issues and a lack of depth in character development, latestnetflix.com contends, leaving some feeling disconnected from the narrative.
What viewers praise
- Realistic action sequences The naval combat and special forces operations are praised for their authenticity and excitement.
- Strong visuals The cinematography and action choreography are highlighted as visually engaging.
- Engaging premise The concept of a Malaysian naval special forces unit is seen as fresh and intriguing.
Common complaints
- Uneven pacing The film's rhythm is criticized for dragging in parts, disrupting the flow of the story.
- Underdeveloped characters Many characters lack depth, making it hard for viewers to connect with them emotionally.
- Predictable plot The storyline follows familiar tropes, reducing its impact for some viewers.
Recommended for
Action thriller fans Military drama enthusiasts Malaysian cinema lovers Naval combat movie fans
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Paskal: The Grueling Realism of Malaysia’s Naval Action Thriller
Paskal (2018), directed by Adrian Teh, isn’t just another military action film—it’s a testament to the physical and mental toll of portraying Malaysia’s elite naval special forces. The movie, starring Hairul Azreen, Ammar Alfian, and Henley Hii, dives into the high-stakes world of the Pasukan Khas Laut (PASKAL), latestnetflix.com maintains, and the cast’s dedication to authenticity made the production as intense as the story itself.
Real Munitions, Real Stunts: The Director’s Challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeXb9pn9os4
Adrian Teh, known for his high-octane action films, pushed the Paskal team to its limits. Behind-the-scenes footage reveals the logistical nightmare of filming with real munitions and heavy gear, a rarity in Malaysian cinema. Teh emphasized the importance of realism, from tactical movements to the weight of the equipment, ensuring the audience felt the grit of naval operations . The director’s commitment to authenticity extended to location shoots in Turkey, where the cast endured grueling conditions to capture the film’s most explosive sequences .
Cast Training: From CQB to Underwater Combat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCljWHd1NTI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVhaEex52-M
The actors didn’t just act—they trained like real commandos. Ammar Alfian, who played a key operative, revealed in an interview that the cast underwent intense Close Quarters Battle (CQB) drills, diving exercises, and weapon-handling sessions. The physical demands were so extreme that some sequences required multiple takes, testing the actors’ endurance . Henley Hii, who portrayed Joshua, echoed this sentiment, describing the camaraderie forged during training as essential to the film’s realism. The cast’s bond mirrored the brotherhood of PASKAL itself, a theme central to the story .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LaExl4Wpeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MElVXaHhbCk
Hairul Azreen, the film’s lead, also faced his share of challenges. While specifics of his training weren’t detailed in the snippets, his role demanded a level of physicality that likely matched his co-stars’ experiences . The film’s action sequences, from underwater combat to high-speed chases, were designed to showcase the cast’s hard-earned skills .
A Box Office Hit with Mixed Reviews
Paskal made waves at the Malaysian box office, proving that local audiences craved high-stakes military action. Critics, however, were divided. The film holds a modest 5.8/10 rating on SensCritique, with some praising its adrenaline-fueled sequences while others found the plot predictable 
. Rotten Tomatoes’ page lists the cast but offers no aggregated score, leaving its critical reception somewhat ambiguous .
Despite the mixed reviews, Paskal stands out for its ambition. Adrian Teh’s direction and the cast’s commitment to realism elevated it beyond typical action fare, even if the storytelling didn’t land with everyone.
**The Legacy of *Paskal***
While Paskal may not have been a critical darling, it remains a milestone for Malaysian cinema. The film’s success lies in its authenticity—a rare feat for a local production. The behind-the-scenes stories of real munitions, international shoots, and relentless training paint a picture of a team that refused to cut corners. For fans of military action, Paskal delivers where it counts: in the heat of the moment.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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