Only God Forgives

Name: Only God Forgives
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: July 19, 2013
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 37
Cast: Kristin Scott Thomas, Ryan Gosling, Vithaya Pansringarm

2013

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 549 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 549 Ratings

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Only God Forgives

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Movie Details & Credits

RADiUS-TWC | Release Date: July 19, 2013 | R

Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Ryan Gosling, Vithaya Pansringarm

Summary: Julian lives in exile in Bangkok where he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation. When Julian’s brother Billy is killed their mother, Jenna, arrives in the city. She wants revenge and forces Julian to find the killer. Julian’s contacts in the criminal underworld lead him directly to The Angel ofJulian lives in exile in Bangkok where he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation. When Julian’s brother Billy is killed their mother, Jenna, arrives in the city. She wants revenge and forces Julian to find the killer. Julian’s contacts in the criminal underworld lead him directly to The Angel of Vengeance, a retired police officer.… Expand

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min

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Awards & Rankings

53	#53 Most Discussed Movie of 2013
83	#83 Most Shared Movie of 2013

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Damon Wise

Jul 29, 2013

Experimental and uncompromising, Winding Refn and Gosling’s Drive follow-up is a tripped-out riff on the crime family movie in which The Grifters — literally — go to hell. Read full review

Jesse Cataldo

Jul 15, 2013

It takes the basic form of the revenge flick and dips it in tar, making for a movie that comes out sticky, nasty, and black. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Jul 16, 2013

Crushingly, the dependably perverse art-action director Nicolas Winding Refn has finally made a boring movie. Read full review

Anthony Lane

Jul 15, 2013

However mystifying, or downright boring, you find the result, rest assured that the Refn faithful will swoon. Peace be with them. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Jul 17, 2013

Long after Only God Forgives concludes, only its scuzziness remains. This artistic misfire will forever be knocking on heaven’s door. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Jul 18, 2013

The innovation of Refn’s latest is mostly just in the way it manages to merge gory and boring. At least it’s created a new movie adjective for me: goring. Read full review

Rex Reed

Jul 16, 2013

In Cannes, one wag described it as “cinematic defecation” in print. I’d like to top that one, but as James Agee used to say, I know when I’m licked. Read full review

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User Reviews

alescio92

Jul 19, 2013

Only God Forgives directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, an intense film, aesthetically perfect with beautiful colors, beautiful performances, a directorial no flaws, a wonderful movie, perfect, a beautiful soundtrack, not a fim suitable for everyone though.
This is the real masterpiece of Refn.

20 of 33 users found this helpful2013

MrThehammer171

Feb 7, 2015

this movie is just so amazingly shot the lighting and the score i just cant get enough of this movie. the acting is top notch ryan gosling gives a outstanding performance. people say he doesn't say enough well he doesnt you can see and feel what he is thinking just by looking at him andthis movie is just so amazingly shot the lighting and the score i just cant get enough of this movie. the acting is top notch ryan gosling gives a outstanding performance. people say he doesn't say enough well he doesnt you can see and feel what he is thinking just by looking at him and that just shows how amazing of a job ryan gosling did… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

theSwayzetrain

Jul 21, 2013

If you are going into this movie thinking it's going to be like Drive well get that out of your head. Only God forgives is way different film first off cinematography and lighting are absolutely beautiful. So if you like that this will look like art to you Only God forgives is a dark storyIf you are going into this movie thinking it's going to be like Drive well get that out of your head. Only God forgives is way different film first off cinematography and lighting are absolutely beautiful. So if you like that this will look like art to you Only God forgives is a dark story that will play with your mind. The cast give great performances and as your watching the film it has a great soundtrack just like Drive had. So if your looking for a different type of movie and one that's bit strange this is it.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

jamess

Oct 24, 2013

While watching early on, two words popped into my head.."PULP KUBRICK". The lighting, set design and compositions (esp the serpentine wallpaper, the nightclub with the red lanterns, the colored tile,etc.) reminded me of Kubrick. Did not realize until afterwards that Larry Smith worked onWhile watching early on, two words popped into my head.."PULP KUBRICK". The lighting, set design and compositions (esp the serpentine wallpaper, the nightclub with the red lanterns, the colored tile,etc.) reminded me of Kubrick. Did not realize until afterwards that Larry Smith worked on Eyes Wide Shut. And although individual scenes have power, the movie seems more of an excercise in style over substance (yes, I know, that old cliche), while referencing The Grifters or Resevior Dogs. Ryan Gosling broods alright given he only has about 11 lines of dialogue thoughout. Kristen Scott Thomas keeps in check a role that could have spiralled easily into camp. It's like an adaptation of a graphic novel nobody ever read, a movie that I can admire, but just not like a whole lot.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Rokudaime-dono

Sep 25, 2013

This is one of the weirdest, slowest (it's ULTRA slow!), and most minimalistic movies I've ever seen. There is very little dialogue to tell the story, but there is also virtually no action, so on a whole, not much happens. And in addition the whole movie is so slow that it's almost likeThis is one of the weirdest, slowest (it's ULTRA slow!), and most minimalistic movies I've ever seen. There is very little dialogue to tell the story, but there is also virtually no action, so on a whole, not much happens. And in addition the whole movie is so slow that it's almost like watching in slow-motion (I'm not exaggerating, you'll know what I mean once you watch it). And the ending was kind of stupid. It was also hard for me to feel for any of the main characters; to care about what happens to them.

I guess this movie is meant to be either a weird piece of art for the artistically minded, or a strange psychological trip, or a mix of both. As far as entertainment goes however, it doesn't have much to offer...… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

NoSaints

Nov 7, 2013

Unwatchably bad. ONLY GOD FORGIVES is a ghastly mixture of boring and gruesome. Think David Lynch at his worst. Even a villainous bleached blond Kristin Scott Thomas cannot save this.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

crossifo

Aug 2, 2013

One of the worst movies I have ever seen, very disappointed. Any one who watches this and likes it has serious mental issues, my unknown self-published book is a trillion times better.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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