The blistering and brutal Hindi action-thriller “Kill” is an action movie that certainly stands out in this year’s crop. “Kill” earned a lot of attention following its premiere at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. And some are already throwing out the label “cult classic”. India loves the action genre, but their movies don’t always make it to big screens here in the States. Thanks to Lionsgate, you’ll have your chance to see this one starting this weekend. And it’s a chance you should take advantage of.

Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, “Kill” certainly lives up to its name. The film is extremely violent and considerably more gruesome than the majority of Indian action cinema. It takes place in a mostly single setting and introduces the world to a bonafide action star in Lakshya who’s making his feature film debut. The 28-year-old actor can really ratchet up the intensity, and the physicality he brings to film will leave your jaw on the floor.

Lakshya plays Captain Amrit Rathod, a National Security Guard commando who is madly in love with a young woman named Tulika (Tanya Maniktala). The two have big dreams of getting married, but those dreams are shattered after Tulika learns that her father (Harsh Chhaya), a powerful businessman, has arranged her engagement to another man. Wasting no time, Tulika’s family rushes her off by train to New Delhi where she is to be married. But Amrit is able to slip onboard, hoping to stop the wedding with the help of his close friend and fellow commando Viresh (Abhishek Chauhan).

But little do they know, also onboard is a large gang of knife-wielding bandits led by Fani (Raghav Juyal), a reckless and ruthless sociopath. The thugs begin moving from coach to coach, beating and robbing the passengers. Amrit and Viresh do their best to stop the bandits and protect the innocent. But when the violent wildcard Fani targets Tulika, Amrit turns from noble soldiering to pure rage-fueled savagery. That all unfolds in the first 45 minutes and then when get the title screen.

Then remaining 45 minutes is a nearly non-stop barrage of close-quartered brutality as Amrit unleashes his fury on the seemingly endless parade of blade-swinging baddies. The fight sequences are blood-soaked and primal to their core. Bhat and DP Rafey Mehmood superbly capture the ferocity of the brawls, shooting predominantly in narrow, confined spaces. Lakshya does the rest, showing a physical and emotional commitment that drives his character and the combat.

While the constraints of the train setting add a compelling component to the action, it doesn’t offer much in terms of variety. As the fighting moves from one car to the next, you can’t help but notice how they all look the same. And I can see where some may be worn down by the near endless waves of violence. But those seem like such minor complaints considering “Kill” will easily end up being one of the very best action movies of the year. Don’t go into it expecting a new “John Wick”. But if something like “The Raid” on a train sounds good to you (as it should), get your ticket now.

VERDICT – 4 STARS