Skin Trade (2014) is a gritty action thriller that dives into the dark world of human trafficking, pairing two martial arts powerhouses—Dolph Lundgren and Tony Jaa—for a brutal, fast-paced ride. Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham, the film brings together Western and Eastern action styles in a story driven by vengeance, justice, and survival.

Lundgren plays Nick Cassidy, a tough New York cop whose family is murdered by a Serbian gangster (Ron Perlman) involved in a global human trafficking ring. Consumed by revenge, Nick follows the trail to Bangkok, where he clashes with local detective Tony Vitayakul (Tony Jaa), who’s also after the same criminals but for different reasons. Initially at odds, the two warriors eventually join forces to bring the traffickers down.

The film doesn’t shy away from its heavy subject matter—human trafficking is treated seriously, giving the story weight beyond the action. But the real draw is the fighting. Tony Jaa showcases his lightning-fast Muay Thai skills in bone-crushing choreography, while Lundgren brings raw power and grit. Their face-off is one of the film’s highlights, blending speed and brute force.

Although Skin Trade falls into some familiar action tropes and its script can be a bit uneven, the movie succeeds thanks to its intense pacing, brutal fight scenes, and the chemistry between Jaa and Lundgren. Cameos from Michael Jai White and Peter Weller add extra punch to the already star-studded action lineup.

Skin Trade delivers what fans want—raw action with a touch of heart and justice.