Only God Forgives (2013)

Julian, a drug-smuggler thriving in Bangkok's criminal underworld, sees his life get even more complicated when his mother compels him to find and kill whoever is responsible for his brother's recent death.

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Writer:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Stars:

Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, Yayaying Rhatha Phongam

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Ryan Gosling	...	Julian
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Crystal
Yayaying Rhatha Phongam	...	(as Yayaying)
Tom Burke	...	Billy
Vithaya Pansringarm	...	Chang
Byron Gibson	...	Byron
Gordon Brown	...	Gordon
Joe Cummings	...	Bar Customer
Sahajak Boonthanakit	...	Pol Col. KIM
Charlie Ruedpokanon	...	Daeng
Rhatha Phongam	...	Mai
Danai Thiengdham	...	Li Po
Oak Keerati	...	Porter
Teerawat Mulvilai	...	Ko Sam
Wittchuta Watjanarat	...	Ma Fong

Storyline

Bangkok. Ten years ago Julian killed a cop and went on the run. Now he manages a Thai boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. Respected in the criminal underworld, deep inside, he feels empty. When Julian's brother murders a prostitute, the police call on retired cop Chang - the Angel of Vengeance. Chang allows the father to kill his daughter's murderer, then 'restores order' by chopping off the man's right hand. Julian's mother Jenna - the head of a powerful criminal organization - arrives in Bangkok to collect her son's body. She dispatches Julian to find his killers and 'raise hell'.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | written by director | neo noir | bangkok thailand | mother son relationship | 

---

Taglines:

Time to Meet The Devil

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence including grisly images, sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

France Thailand USA Sweden

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ainult Jumal andestab

Filming Locations:

Bangkok, Thailand

Box Office

Budget:

$4,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

A Grand Elephant, Bold Films, Film i Väst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nicolas Winding Refn has hinted that One-Eye from Valhalla Rising might appear in this film in a new reincarnation. Refn has hinted that it might be Chang.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Billy: I love violence!

User Reviews

If you've seen Drive, you've seen this movie.

Only God Forgives is a movie that is driven inherently by its visuals and not much else. Without giving away too much, Julian (Ryan Gosling) is being coaxed by his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) to avenge the killing of his brother.

Looking from the directing perspective, if you've seen Drive there's no point in seeing this. I felt like Nicolas Refn is testing the limits of the audience because the first 30 minutes felt like a test of restraint on my part. Maybe his style just isn't my thing.

In the acting department, Thomas is very memorable. Her overbearing and somewhat peculiar mother is very effective in providing an anchor for the audience to make up their own minds about the motivations of her sons. Her work is exemplary.

I recommend seeing this if you consider yourself a fan of the movies. However if you're looking for a memorable story you might want to look elsewhere.