Infernal Affairs
Seen it?2002 | 101 min | Drama, Thriller, Crime
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10), it drew serious awards attention and it made about 9 times its budget. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Bottle Rocket, start here.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in Cantonese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
23 wins and 14 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$55 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 322K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Alan Mak Siu-fai, Andrew Lau Wai-keung
- Andy LauSenior Inspector Lau Kin-ming
- Tony Leung Chiu-waiChan Wing-yan
- Anthony Wong Chau-sangSuperintendent Wong Chi-shing
- Eric Tsang Chi-waiHon Sam
- Kelly Chen Hui-linDr. Lee Sum-yee
- Sammi Cheng Sau-manMary
- Elva Hsiao Ya-hsuanMay
- Chapman To Man-chatTsui Wai-keung
- Gordon Lam Ka-tungInspector B
- Yue Man-lokYoung Chan Wing-yan