Legend has it that when Ong-Bak screened at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival’s “Midnight Madness” program, it promptly blew the minds of every single attendee and started a small riot thanks to its bone-crunching martial arts action.

When his village’s sacred Buddha statue is stolen by some thieves, Ting (Tony Jaa) travels to Bangkok to try and track it down. Though he’s a bit of a country bumpkin and is quickly overwhelmed by the big city, he’s got one thing in his favor: he’s a Muay Thai expert. And that comes in mighty handy when he starts shaking down the underground.

Although Ong-Bak aims for the sort of physical comedy found in classic Jackie Chan films, Jaa doesn’t quite have the same charisma or comedic chops. But that’s OK because he absolutely delivers in the action department, breaking limbs and cracking skulls with aplomb, and delivering acrobatic beatdowns that are consistently thrilling to watch.

Not surprisingly, Jaa became something of an international action star after Ong-Bak, and starred in films like Tom Yum Goong, Furious 7, and Triple Threat. He also co-directed and starred in two more Ong-Bak films, though they aren’t nearly as good or enjoyable as the original.