Skin Trade is a 2015 international action-thriller that brings together martial arts legend Tony Jaa and action veteran Dolph Lundgren in a brutal, fast-paced battle against one of the darkest crimes in the world: human trafficking.
Directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham, Skin Trade follows New York detective Nick Cassidy (played by Dolph Lundgren), whose life is shattered when his family is brutally murdered by a Serbian crime syndicate involved in trafficking humans across international borders. Fueled by rage and revenge, Cassidy follows the trail to Southeast Asia, where he crosses paths with Thai detective Tony Vitayakul (played by Tony Jaa), who is also pursuing the same criminal organization.
Initially at odds, the two lawmen eventually form a fragile alliance as they take on Viktor Dragovic (played by Ron Perlman), the ruthless head of the trafficking ring. As the investigation intensifies, Cassidy and Tony face deadly assassins, brutal hand-to-hand combat, and non-stop gunfights in a race to dismantle the global trafficking network and bring justice to the victims.
What makes Skin Trade stand out is its combination of gritty crime drama and explosive martial arts action. The film delivers intense fight choreography, featuring Tony Jaa’s signature acrobatics and close-quarters combat, alongside Dolph Lundgren’s heavy-hitting power and gunplay. The action sequences are raw, brutal, and unrelenting, while the storyline highlights the horrifying reality of human trafficking.
Supported by an international cast that includes Michael Jai White and Peter Weller, Skin Trade blends Eastern and Western action styles into a tightly packed 96-minute film that never slows down. While its primary focus is on high-adrenaline entertainment, the movie also shines a light on the dark world of modern slavery, adding emotional weight to its action.
For fans of martial arts, shootouts, and gritty crime thrillers, Skin Trade offers a hard-hitting, globally themed action film that brings together two action icons in an explosive showdown against one of the world’s most despicable crimes.
