Infernal Affairs

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Infernal Affairs

R,

2004,

1h 40m,

Crime/

Drama/

Action/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Watchlist

94%

66 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Idealistic police cadet Chan Wing-Yan (Tony Leung) is recruited by Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong) to go deep undercover as a member of the criminal Triad society. Into the same cadet class, crime boss Hon Sam (Eric Tsang) installs new Triad member Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) to become a long-term mole for the gang. A decade later, both have risen through the ranks in their respective aliases -- but when both of their covers are in danger of being blown, a game of life and death ensues.

Critics Consensus

Smart and engrossing, this is one of Hong Kong's better cop thrillers.

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Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

May 18, 2020

Internal Affairs is a deliciously twisted thriller from Hong Kong.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 13, 2018

The pace and plot are dizzying, but the movie also works as a study of fractured identity: the two have led double lives so long they're no longer sure who they are.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

May 4, 2005

C+

Ultimately quiet tepid.

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Rose Ho

The Asian Cut

Aug 2, 2025

4.5/5

A brilliant example of the thriller genre.

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Sep 3, 2024

3.5

“Infernal Affairs” showcases solid craftsmanship, impeccable production values, and stellar performances that effectively synergize without exploring new narrative territories.

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Joshua Polanski

Boston Hassle

Jul 9, 2024

The images of this film carry true staying power.

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Abraham P

Mar 9, 2019

The cast and premise are great. As for the execution: some may call it stylish, I call it amateurish. Above all, watching Infernal Affairs really made me appreciate the effort Scorsese and his team put into the superior The Departed.

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Luke S

Jan 19, 2019

Packed with multiple twists and turns, Infernal Affairs takes an original story and a gripping relationship and mixes it to make a riveting world cinema action thriller.

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Ron R

Sep 13, 2018

"Hey, this was a pretty sweet movie! Lets see what everyone else thinks! ...Wait, what is The Departed?"

Finn M

Feb 9, 2018

A smart and tense crime-thriller and thanks to it, we got The Departed.

Hermione R

Sep 6, 2017

The Departed's original film, Infernal Affairs give tight music and editing to give a suspenseful drama feel

Poe W

Aug 20, 2017

It has an excellently structured narrative and it has more thrills and suspense than most cop dramas. Where it lacked was where the remake, The Departed, really nailed, but it has a different ending and more ambiguous details than that of the American version. But the best picture winner took a lot from the original and even if you think the remake is better this was the first to shock and excite.

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Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Director

Alan Mak

Director

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Chan Wing Yan

Andy Lau

Inspector Lau Kin Ming

Anthony Chau-Sang Wong

SP Wong Chi Shing

Eric Tsang

Hon Sam

Read My Lips

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Synopsis

Idealistic police cadet Chan Wing-Yan (Tony Leung) is recruited by Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong) to go deep undercover as a member of the criminal Triad society. Into the same cadet class, crime boss Hon Sam (Eric Tsang) installs new Triad member Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) to become a long-term mole for the gang. A decade later, both have risen through the ranks in their respective aliases -- but when both of their covers are in danger of being blown, a game of life and death ensues.

Director: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Alan Mak
Producer: Andy Lau
Screenwriter: Felix Chong, Alan Mak
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Miramax Films
Production Co: Basic Pictures, Media Asia Films Ltd. [hk]
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 24, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $89.6K
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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