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Infernal Affairs

2002·Movie
1h 41min·R
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Metacritic758.2Rotten Tomatoes94%95%
IMDb8.0Metacritic758.2Rotten Tomatoes94%95%

Infernal Affairs fingerprint

Relentless energy, masterful craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Nerve-racking and fast-paced

Fast from start to finish.

  • Tension10
  • Fast Pace8
  • Adrenaline7

Heart

Moving and melancholic

  • Pathos8
  • Melancholy7
  • Catharsis5

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Dark Humor2
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Crime, mystery, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Rewatchability9
  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8

Craft

Standout storytelling, direction, and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Narrative Structure10
  • Intrigue10
  • Direction9

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Suspense moviesPsychological movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Loyalty. Honor. Betrayal.

Chan Wing Yan, a young police officer, has been sent undercover as a mole in the local mafia. Lau Kin Ming, a young mafia member, infiltrates the police force. Years later, their older counterparts, Chen Wing Yan and Inspector Lau Kin Ming, respectively, race against time to expose the mole within their midst.
Tense Crime ThrillerUndercover InfiltrationPsychological Cat-and-MouseMorally AmbiguousBrilliant Narrative StructureCharacter-Driven DramaSuspenseful & GrippingConsequences of DeceptionModern Neo-Noir

Crew

Directed by:
Alan Mak Siu-Fai, Andrew Lau Wai-Keung
Written by:
Alan Mak Siu-Fai, Felix Chong Man-Keung
Produced by:
Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Ronald Wong, Ronald Wong
Composed by:
Andy Lau, Comfort Chan, Kinson Tsang King-Cheung

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch84
Poster for Infernal Affairs

Media

Questions about Infernal Affairs

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Infernal Affairs legally?

HBO MaxCriterionShout! Factory TV

Infernal Affairs is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Shout! Factory TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Infernal Affairs worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 94%, and Metacritic 75). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Infernal Affairs rated?

RViolenceStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How long is Infernal Affairs?

1 h 41 min

Infernal Affairs runs 1 h 41 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Infernal Affairs?

Critics85
Audiences86

Yes. Critics average 85 and audiences 86 out of 100, so both groups see Infernal Affairs much the same way.

Was Infernal Affairs a box office hit?

Budget$6 million
Box office$9 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $6 million to make and earned $9 million worldwide, 1.4 times its budget.

What language is Infernal Affairs in?

cnChineseThai

It was made in cn, with some Chinese, Thai. Produced in Hong Kong SAR China.

In how many countries can I watch Infernal Affairs?

30ATAUCACHDEDKFIFRGBGGHKIDIEIN+16

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Infernal Affairs in 30 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Infernal Affairs use?

Rooftop ConfrontationThose Two GuysDeath Is DramaticGenre ShiftHidden WireWould Hurt a ChildThe Password Is Always "Swordfish"Mexican StandoffSwitch to MandarinDirty CopThe PurgeNo Good Deed Goes Unpunishedand 63 more

TV Tropes lists 75 storytelling tropes for Infernal Affairs, including Rooftop Confrontation, Those Two Guys, Death Is Dramatic.