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Asif Akbar

Asif Akbar

Producer, director, writer and editor, also cinematographer · Khulna, Bangladesh

Asif Akbar, an accomplished, dependable and visionary young filmmaker, continues to make waves in the global film industry with each project he undertakes. As a director, he has had the privilege of working with legendary Hollywood talent such as Mel Gibson, Mickey Rourke, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sally Kirkland, Udo Kier, Randy Couture, Frank Grillo, 50 Cent, Michael Jai White, and many others. His career has been marked by a string of diverse and unique independent films, including his upcoming highly anticipated film, "Boneyard," set to be released by Lionsgate in the summer of 2024. "Boneyard" is a thrilling serial killer thriller that promises to captivate audiences with its suspenseful story-line and gripping performances. Asif, serving as the director, co-writer, and producer of the film, showcases his multifaceted talent and creative vision. This project stands as a significant milestone in Asif's career, as he collaborates with the legendary Academy Award-winning actor, Mel Gibson. Working alongside Mel Gibson, an icon in the industry, is a career highlight for Asif, demonstrating his ability to attract and collaborate with top-tier talent. Asif's dedication to his craft and his commitment to continuously grow and level up project by project have propelled him to new heights in the global film industry. With each film, he pushes boundaries and explores new storytelling techniques, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and innovative filmmaker. His previous successes, such as bringing the iconic South Asian intellectual property, the Masud Rana novel series, to international film audiences with "MR-9: Do or Die" and its upcoming sequel "MR-9: Sky Dancer," have garnered him recognition and acclaim. These achievements, along with his collaboration with Mel Gibson in "Boneyard," serve as stepping stones for Asif's continued growth in the industry. Asif's 2022 released film, "The Commando," starring Mickey Rourke and Michael Jai White proved to be a remarkable success, captivating audiences and earning the top number one spot on Hulu's streaming platform for an impressive three consecutive weeks. In addition to his directorial work, Asif has also produced over 35 films that have achieved worldwide distribution and sales. Asif's ability to seamlessly transition between roles as a director, writer, and producer showcases his versatility and adaptability to deliver different films that resonate with audiences on a deep and emotional level world-wide. His diverse range of experience includes working on mainstream feature films for over two decades, collaborating with well-recognized and respected veterans in the industry. This has allowed him to establish a strong foundation and expertise in the global film industry over the past 15 years. Born in Khulna, Bangladesh, and raised in Cleveland, OH, USA, Asif has always been passionate about filmmaking. Inspired by his father, Enayet Akbar Milon, who was involved in the international entertainment industry, Asif knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps. Asif's passion for filmmaking began in the early 90s when he was a young boy in grade school and he started making his own movies using a home handy cam and editing tape-to-tape video. He also gained practical experience by participating in his father's professionally produced productions in Bangladesh, both in front of and behind the camera. This ever growing curiosity and passion for film and television production was nurtured through his move to Los Angeles at the age of 18 in 2007 and continuing a formal education at Columbia College Hollywood, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Focusing on directing in Cinema and Television productions Asif Akbar's journey in the global film industry is a testament to his unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence. With each project, he continues to grow, leveling up his skills and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Asif's future endeavors are eagerly anticipated, as he takes on new challenges and continues to push boundaries, solidifying his status as a rising star in the global film arena.

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Biography from IMDb.

From
Khulna, Bangladesh
Works as
Producer, director, writer and editor, also cinematographer
Titles
18 on Motif · 27 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Up 62% in 30 days

What are Asif Akbar's films like?

Across their 17 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Action9 titlesTypical Motif score: 6th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Motif score: 1st percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Motif score: 12th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
35%
Morality
21%
Bonds
19%
Self
10%
Society
6%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Survival8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 6 · Dark 9

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 5 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 15 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Dread
8
Thrilling
6
Melancholic
5
Absurd
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Unsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Asif Akbar's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 18 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Asif Akbar's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

27 credits, 18 with a Motif page.

  • A Crime Story(2026)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Motif score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Wrecker(2025)

    Co-Producer

    Motif score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Boneyard(2024)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Motif score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Skeletons in the Closet(2024)

    Director · Editor · Producer

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Amityville: Where the Echo Lives(2024)

    Producer

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Ruthless(2023)

    Associate Producer

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Curse of the Clown Motel(2023)

    Director

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • MR-9: Do or Die(2023)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay

    Motif score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Mojave Diamonds(2023)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

    Motif score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Phoenix (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    Producer

  • Amityville Shark House(2023)

    Executive Producer

    Motif score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Weapon(2023)

    Producer

    Motif score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Project Legion(2022)

    Producer

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Commando(2022)

    Director · Producer · Story

    Motif score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Starf*cker(2022)

    Producer

    Motif score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Ace & the Christmas Miracle(2021)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Story

    Motif score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Kill Giggles (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    Producer

  • Clown Fear(2020)

    Editor · Producer

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Morbid Stories (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Director

  • Astro(2018)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Ray

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • EP/Executive Protection (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Producer

  • Top Priority: The Terror Within(2012)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Motif score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Redemption (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Spymasters (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Producer

  • Syndicate (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • The Apex Predators Club (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Executive Producer

  • Untitled Shakib Khan Hollywood Film (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 25 titles, 20 of them dated from 2012 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Boneyard (2024)

$314K worldwide

Highest rated

The Wrecker (2025)

Most popular right now

Ruthless (2023)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 25: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting14 of 25: 3 only directing, 11 with another role · typical Motif score6thWriting8 of 25: 0 only writing, 8 with another role · typical Motif score6thProducing21 of 25: 10 only producing, 11 with another role · typical Motif score6thCinematography1 of 25: 0 only cinematography, 1 with another roleEditing3 of 25: 0 only editing, 3 with another role

25 titles, 12 with more than one role — producing and directing overlap on 10 of them.

By decade

2010s4 · 1 acting · 4 crew2020s16 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Asif Akbar's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 6th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 6th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

6thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

4thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Motif score across 18 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 18 titles are Divisive.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned4
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive6
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director, writer, producer, editor

MR-9: Do or Die (2023)

98th percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, cinematographer

Top Priority: The Terror Within (2012)

79% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 40/100 and the pacing 29/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Asif Akbar's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 24 · mildMedian of all films: 31

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Asif Akbar work with?

People who share at least 2 of Asif Akbar's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Al Bravo shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers