Infernal Affairs

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Infernal Affairs

R

2004

1h 40m

Crime

Drama

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Idealistic police cadet Chan Wing-Yan (Tony Leung) is recruited by Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong) to go deep undercover as a member of the criminal Triad society. Into the same cadet class, crime boss Hon Sam (Eric Tsang) installs new Triad member Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) to become a long-term mole for the gang. A decade later, both have risen through the ranks in their respective aliases -- but when both of their covers are in danger of being blown, a game of life and death ensues.

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Critics Consensus

Smart and engrossing, this is one of Hong Kong's better cop thrillers.

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Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

May 18, 2020

Internal Affairs is a deliciously twisted thriller from Hong Kong.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 13, 2018

The pace and plot are dizzying, but the movie also works as a study of fractured identity: the two have led double lives so long they're no longer sure who they are.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

May 4, 2005

C+

Ultimately quiet tepid.

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Rose Ho

The Asian Cut

Aug 2, 2025

4.5/5

A brilliant example of the thriller genre.

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Ian Kane

Epoch Times

Sep 3, 2024

3.5

“Infernal Affairs” showcases solid craftsmanship, impeccable production values, and stellar performances that effectively synergize without exploring new narrative territories.

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Joshua Polanski

Boston Hassle

Jul 9, 2024

The images of this film carry true staying power.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Jul 31, 2026

Mole against mole, high tension, forays into the melodramatic – powerful stuff!

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Chao long Y

@533533 Apr 14, 2026

电影史上最好的警匪片，演员的表演精彩绝伦，摄影，视觉效果很好

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Sammer A

@sammer864 Feb 15, 2026

The Prefect movie of it's genre.

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Isa B

@RT32418990 Jul 11, 2025

For many American film fans, this picture will always be compared to Martin Scorsese's The Departed. After all, this was the material from which the screenplay for The Departed was developed. With a shorter runtime, this film is faster paced. Of course, I could be a bit biased because it's Martin Scorsese and I saw The Departed first, but I do believe it to be the better of the two films. Martin Scorsese and his brilliant cast just did it better, plain and simple. Judging Internal Affairs by its own merit, it is absolutely a great film. I most definitely recommend it. 92/100

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S R

@ScottR Apr 1, 2025

Definitely one of the better cop thrillers from Hong Kong. However, Hollywood took this and made "The Departed" that was so much better. This had some odd parts that didn't make sense, but it still was entertaining. However, I don't plan to see it again. I saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD.

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Leprechaun K

@LeprechaunKing Feb 26, 2025

A wonderfully directed and executed crime thriller by Lau, and it is very well written. The score is also fantastic. Performance by Tony Leung is fantastic as always. The intensity and pacing is well balanced from beginning to end. It is superior to Scorsese's remake.

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Andrew Lau Wai-Keung

Director

Alan Mak

Director

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Chan Wing Yan

Andy Lau

Inspector Lau Kin Ming

Anthony Chau-Sang Wong

SP Wong Chi Shing

Eric Tsang

Hon Sam

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Synopsis

Idealistic police cadet Chan Wing-Yan (Tony Leung) is recruited by Police Superintendent Wong (Anthony Wong) to go deep undercover as a member of the criminal Triad society. Into the same cadet class, crime boss Hon Sam (Eric Tsang) installs new Triad member Lau Kin Ming (Andy Lau) to become a long-term mole for the gang. A decade later, both have risen through the ranks in their respective aliases -- but when both of their covers are in danger of being blown, a game of life and death ensues.

Director: Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, Alan Mak
Producer: Andy Lau
Screenwriter: Felix Chong, Alan Mak
Distributor: Universal Pictures, Miramax Films
Production Co: Basic Pictures, Media Asia Films Ltd. [hk]
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 24, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $89.6K
Runtime: 1h 40m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital

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