The 2014 action masterpiece The Raid 2 (Indonesian title: Berandal) is widely considered one of the greatest martial arts films ever made. While international audiences often first encountered it via subtitles or dubbing, experiencing The Raid 2 in its original Indonesian audio is the only way to truly capture the film’s visceral intensity, cultural nuance, and bone-crunching realism.
Here is an in-depth look at why the Indonesian audio track is essential for fans and how it elevates the cinematic experience. 1. Linguistic Authenticity and "Indo-Noir"
Directed by Gareth Evans, The Raid 2 expands the world of the first film into a sprawling crime epic. The dialogue is rooted in a specific Jakarta underworld dialect. When listening to the original Indonesian audio, you hear the rhythmic flow of "Bahasa Indonesia," which ranges from formal, chilling threats issued by crime bosses to the gritty, slang-heavy banter of street thugs.
Subtitles provide the meaning, but the audio provides the soul. The harsh consonants and specific intonations used by characters like Rama (Iko Uwais) or the terrifying Hammer Girl carry a weight that English dubbing simply cannot replicate. 2. The Sound of Pencak Silat
The Raid 2 is a showcase for Pencak Silat, the traditional Indonesian martial art. In the original audio mix, the sound design is meticulously synchronized with the movements of the actors.
The Impacts: The thuds, cracks, and swipes are balanced against the actors' original vocalizations—the breathing patterns and grunts of exertion are authentic to the physical performance.
The Kitchen Fight: In the legendary final kitchen sequence, the clinking of Karambit blades against tile and the frantic dialogue in Indonesian create a claustrophobic atmosphere that defines the "Raid" style. 3. Iconic Performances in their Native Tongue
Watching The Raid 2 with Indonesian audio allows you to appreciate the full range of the cast’s acting:
Iko Uwais (Rama): You hear the desperation and growing rage in his voice as he goes deeper undercover.
Arifin Putra (Uco): His performance as the volatile son of a mob boss is legendary. His vocal delivery in Indonesian captures a sense of spoiled entitlement and sociopathic tendencies that feels much more menacing than any dubbed version.
Yayan Ruhian (Prakoso): Even with limited dialogue, the gravelly, soft-spoken nature of his Indonesian delivery adds a layer of tragedy to his character. 4. Technical Quality of the Original Mix
The Blu-ray and high-end streaming versions of The Raid 2 typically feature a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 or 7.1 track for the Indonesian audio. This mix is the "director's intended" soundscape.
Atmospheric Immersion: From the echoing halls of the prison to the rain-slicked streets of Jakarta, the original audio track uses the surround sound field to place you directly in the environment.
The Score: The pulsing, industrial-electronic score by Joseph Trapanese, Aria Prayogi, and Fajar Yuskemal is mixed specifically to weave through the Indonesian dialogue, ensuring that neither overpowers the other. 5. Why You Should Avoid the English Dub
While dubbing makes films more accessible to some, it often sanitizes the experience of The Raid 2.
Lost Emotion: Dub actors often record in booths far removed from the physical intensity of the set. This creates a "disconnect" between the brutal violence on screen and the vocal energy.
Mismatched Pacing: Indonesian is a faster-paced language than English in many contexts. English dubbing often has to stretch or compress sentences to fit lip movements, which ruins the "staccato" timing of the action scenes. How to Watch
If you are looking for The Raid 2 with Indonesian audio, ensure your media player or streaming service (like Netflix, Hulu, or physical Blu-ray) is set to: Audio: Indonesian (Original) Subtitles: English (or your preferred language) Conclusion
To watch The Raid 2 is to witness a ballet of violence. To hear it in its original Indonesian audio is to understand the cultural heart of that violence. It transforms a standard action movie into an immersive, Shakespearean tragedy of the Jakarta underworld.
To experience The Raid 2 authentically, you should watch it with its original Indonesian audio track
. While English dubs exist, the original performances are widely considered superior for preserving the film's intense atmosphere. How to Access Indonesian Audio
The availability of the original audio depends on your viewing platform: Physical Media (Blu-ray/DVD)
: This is the most reliable way to ensure you get the original Indonesian track. : Most standard Blu-ray releases, including the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment version, include both the original Indonesian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and the English dubbed track.
: The disc often defaults to the English dub. You must manually go into the "Setup" or "Audio" menu to select Indonesian Digital Purchase & Streaming : Support varies by service and can change without notice. : Generally lists "Original Audio Indonesian" as an option. Prime Video The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio
: Often provides both Indonesian and English tracks, though some users have reported versions occasionally becoming "locked" to a forced English dub.
: Availability depends on your region, but it typically offers the original language with subtitles where licensed. Guide to Subtitle Pairings
If you choose the original Indonesian audio, you will need subtitles. The "high clarity" English subtitles are standard on most international releases. Academia.edu
The Indonesian audio in The Raid 2 (2014) is a core component of the film’s identity, blending gritty realism with a hyper-stylized approach to sound design. While international audiences often first encounter the film through subtitles or dubs, the original Indonesian track is widely considered the definitive way to experience Director Gareth Evans’ vision.
Here is a detailed look into the significance, technical execution, and cultural context of the film's Indonesian audio. 1. Cultural Authenticity and "Bahasa Indonesia"
The use of the original Indonesian audio preserves the specific cadence and intensity of the performances. Slang and Dialect:
The film features a mix of formal Indonesian and Jakarta "street" slang ( Bahasa Gaul
). This linguistic contrast helps establish the hierarchy between the organized crime syndicates (who often speak with a cold, calculated formality) and the gritty, chaotic world of the undercover police and low-level thugs. Emotional Weight:
Iko Uwais (Rama) and the rest of the cast delivered their lines with a physical intensity that matches the choreography. Dubbed versions often struggle to capture the breathiness and guttural strain of a fighter who is exhausted or injured, which is clearly audible in the original track. 2. Sound Design: "The Sound of Impact" The audio team for The Raid 2
treated sound as a physical character. The Indonesian track is famous for its "wet" and "heavy" foley work: Hyper-Realism:
Every punch, bone break, and blade slice is amplified. The sound of Silat (the Indonesian martial art featured) is characterized by rapid-fire slaps and thuds. The audio track emphasizes the contact of skin-on-skin and the crunch of concrete, making the violence feel visceral rather than cartoonish. The Kitchen Fight:
In the legendary final kitchen sequence, the audio transitions from the clanging of metal utensils to the muffled, heavy thumping of bodies hitting the floor, creating a rhythmic, almost percussive experience that is best preserved in the uncompressed original audio. 3. Musical Integration (The Hybrid Score)
The audio experience is inseparable from its score. Interestingly, The Raid 2 features a collaboration between Indonesian composer Fajar Yuskemal Aria Prayogi , alongside Joseph Trapanese Indonesian Traditional Influence:
While the score is largely electronic and orchestral, it incorporates subtle Indonesian rhythmic structures that pulse beneath the dialogue. Sonic Space:
The original audio mix balances the loud, industrial music with the Indonesian dialogue, ensuring that the guttural commands and screams aren't lost in the wall of sound. 4. Why Fans Prefer the Original Audio Avoiding the "Uncanny Valley":
English dubs for martial arts films often suffer from a mismatch between the speed of the Indonesian language and English phonetics. This can lead to a "floaty" feeling where the voice doesn't seem to come from the body. The "Hammer Girl" and "Baseball Bat Man" Moments:
These characters have very little dialogue, but the sounds they make (the scraping of hammers, the "ping" of the bat) are mixed specifically to complement the Indonesian environmental audio, creating a seamless atmosphere. Technical Availability
For home media collectors (Blu-ray/4K UHD), the film is typically presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Dolby Atmos
for the Indonesian track. Audiophiles recommend the Indonesian track over the English dub because the original mix was designed with the specific frequencies of the actors' voices in mind, providing a more balanced and immersive soundstage. technical settings
to optimize the audio on your home theater, or are you more interested in a translation comparison between the Indonesian dialogue and English subtitles?
Watching The Raid 2 with its original Indonesian audio is the only way to experience this masterpiece of martial arts cinema. While the English dub exists, it often strips away the raw, percussive intensity of the dialogue that Gareth Evans intended. The Sonic Impact
The Indonesian language, particularly in the context of a gritty underworld thriller, has a rhythmic cadence that matches the "Berandal" (Thug) energy of the film. The original audio track preserves the authentic performances of Iko Uwais and the rest of the cast, ensuring their vocal strain and emotional weight aren't lost in translation. Why the Original Audio Wins:
Atmospheric Realism: The ambient sounds of Jakarta—the claustrophobic prison scenes and rain-slicked streets—feel more integrated with the original dialogue. The 2014 action masterpiece The Raid 2 (Indonesian
Combat Intensity: The grunts, impacts, and mid-fight shouts feel organic. In the dub, these often sound like detached sound effects; here, they are part of the choreography.
Cultural Context: Certain idioms and the sheer menace in Bejo's quiet threats carry a weight that English voice actors struggle to replicate. Technical Quality
The 5.1 or 7.1 surround tracks found on Blu-ray releases are incredibly balanced. The Indonesian track is crisp, ensuring the "bone-crunching" foley work doesn't drown out the narrative beats. According to reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes, the sequel delivers "more of everything," and that includes a deeper, more operatic soundscape than the first film.
Verdict: 10/10. Turn on the subtitles and keep the Indonesian audio. It’s the difference between watching a movie and feeling a punch.
The story of The Raid 2 (Indonesian: The Raid 2: Berandal) begins just hours after the blood-soaked apartment raid of the first film. Rama, a rookie Jakarta cop, is immediately thrown back into danger when he learns that his brother, Andi, has been assassinated by a rising gangster named Bejo. To protect his family and dismantle the corruption within the police force, Rama is recruited by Bunawar, the head of an internal investigation unit, for a deep-cover mission.
Under the alias "Yuda," Rama enters a high-security prison to win the trust of Uco, the ambitious and volatile son of mob kingpin Bangun. After saving Uco's life during a massive, mud-soaked prison riot, Rama is recruited into Bangun’s organization upon his release.
Over several years, Rama climbs the hierarchy of the criminal underworld as a war brews between Jakarta's established crime families and the Japanese Yakuza. The delicate peace is shattered by Bejo, who manipulates Uco into turning against his own father. As the violence escalates, Rama faces off against legendary assassins, including:
Hammer Girl: A ruthless killer who uses dual claw hammers to tear through enemies on a moving train.
Baseball Bat Man: Her brother, who wields a aluminum bat with lethal precision.
The Assassin: A silent, terrifying combatant armed with kerambits who serves as Bejo's ultimate enforcer.
The film culminates in a brutal "kitchen showdown" between Rama and The Assassin, followed by a final confrontation where Uco discovers Bejo's true treachery. After eliminating the top players of the syndicate and the corrupt police commissioner, a wounded Rama encounters the Japanese Yakuza leaders. When asked if he has more to say, he simply replies, "I'm done," and walks away as the sirens of the arriving police approach.
To experience The Raid 2 (Berandal) with its original Indonesian audio, you need to ensure you have the correct disc version or have configured your streaming settings properly. This film was shot in Indonesian and is widely considered superior in its original language compared to the English dub. 💿 Physical Media Guide
Most Blu-ray and DVD releases are "Dual-Language," but the default varies by region. Check the Menu: Navigate to Audio Options Identify the Track: Indonesian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Indonesian Dolby Digital 5.1 Subtitles: English (Standard)
Avoid "English SDH" unless you want descriptions of sound effects (e.g., "[bones cracking]"). Steelbook/Special Editions:
These almost always default to Indonesian, as they are marketed toward cinephiles. 📺 Streaming Services Guide Platforms like Amazon Prime
often default to the language of your account region (English). Start the movie. Audio & Subtitles menu (usually a speech bubble icon). , change "English (DUB)" to Indonesian (Original) ⚠️ Common Pitfalls The "Dub" Trap:
Many US streaming versions play the English dub by default. The voices often lack the intensity of the physical performances. Region Locking: If buying a physical copy, ensure it is (Americas/East Asia) or Region Free to work on your player. The Raid 1 vs. 2: Ensure you are looking at the settings for The Raid 2
. While the first movie had a famous "Unrated" version with different scores (Mike Shinoda vs. original), the second movie's audio is more standardized across versions. 🎶 Why Indonesian Audio Matters Performance:
The actors (like Iko Uwais) performed their lines with specific physical exertion that matches the fight choreography.
The English dub can sometimes feel "cartoonish" or mismatched with the gritty, operatic tone of the sequel. Cultural Context:
Specific Indonesian slang and honorifics used in the Jakarta underworld are lost in translation when dubbed.
If you are having trouble finding the setting on a specific device, let me know: Are you watching on a specific streaming app (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)? Are you using a gaming console standalone Blu-ray player Do you have the physical disc , and if so, what is the Region code on the back?
I can give you step-by-step instructions for your exact setup! The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio vs
Why You Must Experience The Raid 2 with the Original Indonesian Audio
If you’re a fan of high-octane action, you’ve likely seen The Raid 2. But if you’ve only watched the English-dubbed version, you’re missing out on half of the intensity. To truly appreciate Gareth Evans' masterpiece, switching to the original Indonesian audio is a non-negotiable upgrade. 1. The Raw Intensity of Pencak Silat
The Raid 2 is more than just an action movie; it’s a showcase of Pencak Silat, the traditional Indonesian martial art. When you watch the film with the original audio, the rhythm of the dialogue matches the visceral nature of the choreography. According to Wikipedia, the fight scenes are meticulously designed to highlight this specific fighting style, and the native vocal performances add a layer of grit that dubbing simply can’t replicate. 2. Emotional Authenticity
Dubbing often struggles to capture the subtle nuances of a character’s voice. In a film where undercover officer Rama (played by Iko Uwais) is navigating the treacherous criminal underworld of Jakarta, every whisper and snarl counts. The original Indonesian track conveys the desperation, anger, and tension of the characters exactly as the director intended. 3. Cultural Immersion
The film is deeply rooted in its setting. By listening to the original audio, you get a better sense of the atmosphere of Jakarta’s criminal underbelly. The linguistic flow of the language contributes to the film's pacing—making the quiet, dialogue-heavy scenes just as engaging as the explosive prison yard brawl or the iconic kitchen fight. 4. Technical Quality
Dubs often feel "detached" from the environment because they are recorded in a sterile studio long after filming. The original Indonesian audio is mixed to sit perfectly within the soundscape of the movie. You’ll hear the background noise, the foley work, and the dialogue all working in harmony, rather than a disembodied voice floating over the action. Final Verdict: Subs Over Dubs
While subtitles require a bit more focus, the payoff is a significantly more immersive and powerful viewing experience. If you want to see Rama’s journey to expose corrupt officials as a true piece of Indonesian cinema, go into your settings right now and select Indonesian (Original).
What’s your favorite fight scene in The Raid 2? Let us know in the comments!
For the uninitiated, choosing a language track might seem trivial. Let’s break down the specific differences.
| Feature | The Raid 2 Indonesian Audio | English Dub (US/International) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Lip Sync | Perfect (original performance) | Noticeably off, creating an "old kung fu movie" effect | | Emotional Range | High; actors performed on-set with live sound | Low; voice actors mimic emotion post-production | | Cultural Flavor | Retains Jakarta street slang & honorifics | Standardized American English; loses local context | | Violent Impact | Screams and pain sounds are organic | Often over-produced or "Hollywoodized" | | Subtitles | Accurate translation of meaning | Dialogue often changes drastically to match lip flaps |
One specific scene highlights the difference: The car chase sequence. As Rama battles the baseball bat-wielding assassin, the Indonesian audio captures the heavy breathing, the crunch of glass, and a desperate "Tolong!" (Help). The English dub, trying to be cool, often inserts one-liners like "You should have stayed home." The organic terror of the original is replaced with clichéd bravado.
Gareth Evans (who is Welsh but fluent in Indonesian) wrote the script directly in Indonesian. This means the language has a rhythm tailored to the film’s editing. In the infamous prison mud fight or the car chase climax, Indonesian curse words and slang hit with a percussive force that English cannot replicate.
Consider the word "Brengsek" (roughly equivalent to "bastard" or "jerk") or "Keparat" (infidel/scoundrel). The guttural release of these words in the original language syncs perfectly with the impact of a fist or a broken bottle. The English dub replaces these with generic American profanity, breaking the audio-visual marriage that Evans so carefully constructed.
One of the subtlest but most effective aspects of the Indonesian audio is the use of language registers.
In The Raid 2, the characters navigate a world of police bureaucracy and ruthless gangsters.
To enhance your viewing with The Raid 2 Indonesian audio, understanding a few key phrases without subtitles elevates the experience. (Warning: light spoilers for dialogue tone.)
Gareth Evans, a Welsh director, fell in love with Indonesian cinema. He cast Indonesian actors and wrote the film to be performed in Bahasa Indonesia for a reason. The language is rhythmic, direct, and emotionally resonant.
If you are watching The Raid 2 for the first time, or re-watching it for the tenth, do yourself a favor: Switch the audio to Indonesian. Turn on the subtitles. And listen to the way a story is told when the words come straight from the fighters themselves.
By searching for The Raid 2 Indonesian audio, you are participating in a global movement to respect non-English cinema. Too often, great foreign films are buried under lazy dubs. This film put Indonesian action cinema on the map.
The late Yayan Ruhian, who plays Prakoso, once said in an interview: "When you hear me speak my language, you hear my grandmother. You hear my land. English is just noise." The original audio preserves the specific Indonesian slang, the Javanese inflections, and the rough street dialect of Jakarta's criminal world.
Furthermore, the sequel introduced international audiences to actors like Cecep Arif Rahman (who plays the assassin in the white suit). His Indonesian is poetic and measured. In the English dub, he sounds like every other generic villain. Why rob yourself of that texture?
Sub-headline: It’s not just about reading the story; it’s about hearing the soul of the action.