Headshot

Movie guide

Headshot (2016)

  • Action
  • Thriller
  • Drama
6.4/10 Drama4U Score · from 515 TMDB votes · How the score works

Headshot (2016) guide: plot, Iko Uwais and cast, the directors, and where to stream this brutal Indonesian action thriller in the Philippines.

Headshot Plot: A Man Without a Past

A badly injured stranger is pulled from the sea with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As he slowly recovers under the care of a young woman named Ailin, he is given a new name, Ishmael, and a chance at a quiet, ordinary life.

That peace does not last. Flashes of violent instinct start to surface, and his body seems to remember fighting skills his mind cannot explain. When people from his forgotten life come looking for him, Ishmael is drawn into a confrontation with a ruthless drug lord and the dangerous network around him.

At its core, Headshot is a story about identity. Can a person become someone new, or does the past always catch up? The film explores amnesia, trauma and the search for redemption, while the tagline, “They should have killed him,” sets the tone for the relentless revenge thriller that follows. Ishmael must fight not only for his survival but also to protect the people who gave him a second chance.

Headshot — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

Is Headshot Worth Watching? What Makes It Notable

If you are searching for a Headshot review, here is what sets the film apart:

  • Iko Uwais in the lead: The Indonesian martial arts star plays Ishmael, a role built around intense, close-quarters combat.
  • A strong Southeast Asian cast: Chelsea Islan plays Ailin, with Sunny Pang as Lee and Julie Estelle as Rika. Very Tri Yulisman, David Hendrawan, Zack Lee, Yayu Unru and Ganindra Bimo round out the ensemble, and Bront Palarae appears as Interpol Agent Ali.
  • Directed by Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel: The two co-directed the film, and Tjahjanto also wrote the screenplay.
  • Regional production: It is an Indonesia–Singapore production from Screenplay Infinite Films, made mainly in Indonesian with some English dialogue.
  • Gritty and brutal by design: It mixes action, thriller and drama, and leans hard into graphic violence and gore. Viewers sensitive to bloody scenes should be prepared.
  • Runtime: 118 minutes.

Who Will Enjoy Headshot

  • Fans of hard-hitting martial arts cinema and Iko Uwais’s fight work
  • Viewers who like dark revenge stories built around a mysterious, amnesiac hero
  • Anyone curious about Indonesian and wider Southeast Asian action films
  • Thriller fans who don’t mind intense, bloody violence
  • Fans of Julie Estelle, Chelsea Islan or Bront Palarae

Headshot Release Date in the Philippines & Where to Watch

Headshot first premiered on September 24, 2016. A specific Philippine release date has not been announced.

For viewers in the Philippines, the easiest way to watch is on Netflix, where Headshot is available to stream. An official trailer is also available if you want a preview of the film’s action before pressing play.

Trailer

Cast

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

Where can I watch Headshot in the Philippines?
Headshot is available to stream on Netflix in the Philippines.
What is the release date of Headshot in the Philippines?
Headshot first premiered on September 24, 2016. A specific Philippine release date has not been announced, but the film is already streaming on Netflix in the country.
Who is in the cast of Headshot?
Iko Uwais stars as Ishmael, alongside Chelsea Islan as Ailin, Sunny Pang as Lee, Julie Estelle as Rika, Very Tri Yulisman, David Hendrawan, Zack Lee, Yayu Unru, Ganindra Bimo and Bront Palarae as Interpol Agent Ali.
What is Headshot about?
A man washes ashore with no memory. After he is nursed back to health, his violent past resurfaces and he ends up facing a powerful drug lord while trying to protect the people who helped him.
How long is Headshot?
Headshot runs for 118 minutes.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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