Andy Lau,
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang,
Eric Tsang,
Chapman To,
Lam Ka-tung
... see more 
As Infernal Affairs opens, Ming (Andy Lau of Full-time Killer) is being initiated into the criminal underworld by triad boss Sam (Eric Tsang of The Accidental Spy), who ends his speech to his young ch... read more
Directed by: Wai-keung Lau, Alan Mak
Release Date: December 12, 2002
DVD Release Date: December 7, 2004
Get It:
Stats: 5,000 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (5,000)
-
February 1, 2012Apparently, the original movie that inspired the American movie The Departed. I did not know this going in, but now I see the connection. Fantastic stuff here! This version is more of a psychological drama, than an action movie. Just as good, in my book.
-
December 10, 2011Unfortunately I saw The Departed first, so I didn't get to go into Infernal Affairs as a fresh experience. Still, it's a tense, taunt thriller that's well worth watching.
-
May 11, 2011An expert showcase of suspense with some great lead performances. Full review later.
-
October 28, 2010Infernal Affairs is by no means a bad movie (actually, its pretty good) and maybe I'm just saying this because I was it first, but I liked The Departed better. That's just me. The story is more streamlined that The Departed but I felt that Scorsese's version had more bite to it. ... read more
-
December 31, 2009why did scorsese change the ending? this one was much stronger imo. at least he spared us sequels
-
May 20, 2009A film I've been meaning to see for so long and at last I have. It has to be the first film I've watched where I like both the original and the remake (The Departed) equally.
The storyline here is a truly original and clever idea, increasing in tempo as the polt unfolds. -
March 19, 2009An explosive crime-thriller. It's Heat meets Resivor dogs. Sets new standards for the cops and criminals genre. It's superb and magnificent. A tense, gritty and remarkable film in every way. Stylish, excellent, thrilling and unforgettable. Riveting, brilliant and absolutely sensa... read more
-
January 26, 2009So direcrtor Wai-keung Lau gave Martin Scorsese an eight out of ten for his use of this movie in making The Departed . . . I think I'll have to call that "professional courtesy." And if he gave Scorsese an eight, then this one is deserving of about a 16 out of 10. It ce... read more
-
August 10, 2008As much of a crisis as the HK industry might have entered in the late 90's, they still know when to pull out great stuff like this one. Hardly the most polished script you could find, but the always sharp direction, and a well rounded cast makes it impossible to lost interest in ... read more
-
August 7, 2008I'm so sorry, but I saw The Departed first!!
It's a great story, but it lost me, or actually it didn't get me in the first place. Maybe I saw the wrong version, but the Cantonese dub was terrible. It creates a gaping hole between the characters and the viewer (at least in my opin... read more
Critic Reviews
February 4, 2005
G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle
December 24, 2004
Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune
Beauty in its consistent, washed-out blues and silvers, grace in its understated, intense male performances and energy in its unyielding commitment to tone and tension. Full Review
December 24, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What makes it special is the inner turmoil caused by living a lie. If everyone you know and everything you do for 10 years indicates you are one kind of person, and you know you are another, how do yo... Full Review
December 2, 2004
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
A beautifully crafted, exciting story that keeps on surprising you to the very end. Full Review
November 29, 2004
Tom Long, Detroit News
This is what movies are supposed to feel like -- provocative, exciting, chilling, complex and fully engaging.
November 27, 2004
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Skilfully directed by cinematographer Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Infernal Affairs has the feel of a made-for-prime-time U.S. police thriller. Full Review
November 24, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Asia is seizing another of our taken-for-granted, creatively neglected staples, the cop movie, and again shows us how relevant and entertaining it can be when given proper respect. Full Review
October 6, 2004
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
One of the truest American gangster films of all time. Full Review
September 30, 2004
Mike Clark, USA Today
It offers a fairly fresh variation on a done-to-death genre. Full Review
September 30, 2004
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
It's amazing there haven't been a dozen movies like it. Full Review
View more
Mou gaan dou (Infernal Affairs)
reviews
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
