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Infernal Affairs

Play trailer Poster for Infernal Affairs R 2004 1h 40m Crime Drama Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 68 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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Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Anupama Chopra Film Companion 05/18/2020
Internal Affairs is a deliciously twisted thriller from Hong Kong. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 03/13/2018
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. Go to Full Review Nick Schager Lessons of Darkness 05/04/2005
C+
Ultimately quiet tepid. Go to Full Review Rose Ho The Asian Cut 08/02/2025
4.5/5
A brilliant example of the thriller genre. Go to Full Review Ian Kane Epoch Times 09/03/2024
3.5
“Infernal Affairs” showcases solid craftsmanship, impeccable production values, and stellar performances that effectively synergize without exploring new narrative territories. Go to Full Review Joshua Polanski Boston Hassle 07/09/2024
The images of this film carry true staying power. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jens B @Jens97 Jul 31 Mole against mole, high tension, forays into the melodramatic – powerful stuff! See more Chao long Y @533533 Apr 14 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 See more Sammer A @sammer864 Feb 15 The Prefect movie of it's genre. See more Isa B @RT32418990 07/11/2025 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 See more S R @ScottR 04/01/2025 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. See more Leprechaun K @LeprechaunKing 02/26/2025 Original and captivating. Well written, well acted, and well directed, with a fantastic score. No complains. See more Read all reviews
Infernal Affairs

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Cast & Crew

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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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Infernal Affairs

Infernal Affairs (2002) Tony Leung in Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak's INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Tony Leung (left) and Andy Lau (right) in Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak's INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Andy Lau in Wai Keung Lau and Siu Fai Mak's INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Infernal Affairs (2002) View more photos

Movie Info

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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