Only God Forgives (TBA) – Starring Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas and Vithaya Pansringarm, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Ryan Gosling teams up with Drive director Refn once again for a crime thriller that’s even more violent and sinister than their 2011 collaboration.
Shot on location in Bangkok, Only God Forgives follows Julian (Gosling), an American expat who runs a Muay Thai club with his brother Billy that acts as a cover for an elaborate drug smuggling operation.
When Billy is found guilty of a girl’s murder, Lieutenant Chang allows the girl’s father to beat Billy but takes his revenge too far, killing the criminal.
When Julian’s mother Crystal (Thomas) arrives in Bangkok to identify Billy’s body, the hard-hearted mob matriarch demands Julian seek justice for his brother’s death.
As Chang resurfaces while investigating another murder, the lieutenant’s involvement in Billy’s death comes to light and a jarringly composed Julian takes matters into his own hands.
Throughout the thriller, Refn leads Gosling’s character on a dark dream-like journey, where a stoic Julian is spookily silent. The uncomfortable relationship between him and his mother is one of the film’s leading storylines, with Julian acting as an obvious vessel for others to carry out their actions.
While the violent film has received praise, nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, others claim the film flops with its awkward dialogue and unsuccessful character development. Refn himself claims audiences will love it or hate it, perhaps for all the same reasons.
Only God Forgives hits theatres this Thursday 13th March.
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