Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Stephan K — 29 Dec 2013

This movie has audiences and critics heavily divided. You'll either love it or hate it. Those expecting another Drive may be disappointed. Only God Forgives is more slow-paced, somber, and contemplative like a Terrence Malick movie but morally repugnant like a Gaspar Noe flick.

This is one of the most visually stunning films I've seen all year, right up there with Gravity. The photography, the framing of scenes and use of strong primary colors is quite dazzling, but juxtaposed with quite disturbing elements and character traits reveals something more unsettling like prying into a deranged mind; seeing a person's inner-demon fully realized; nightmares manifested as twisted human beings.

Nobody in this movie is redeemable, which partly plays into the movie's title. Good movie yes but I would find watching a second time difficult to do because it is quite dark and gut-wrenching.