Only God Forgives Review: An Unwanted Appalling Drama!

July 20, 2013February 4, 2026 Surya Komal 0 Comments English Movies, Hollywood, Hollywood Movie Reviews, Hollywood Movies, Kristin Scott Thomas, Nicolas Winding Refn, Only God Forgives, Ryan Gosling, Vithaya Pansringarm

Only God Forgives stars Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas and Vithaya Pansringarm in the leads. The movie was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn who previously directed Drive back in 2012. The plot revolves around Julian, an American who lives in Bangkok and was in supervision of a boxing club. Billy (Julian’s brother) slaughters a 16-year-old prostitute for no reason and surrenders himself to the cops. Chang, the head police officer orders the victim’s father to beat Billy to death.

After the assassination of Billy, Crystal (Billy’s and Julian’s mother) arrives to Bangkok to examine his son’s corpse and orders Julian to kill the man who is responsible for Billy’s death. Julian rejects his mother’s proposal initially and later accepts due to few emotional consequences. Will Julian slay the persons who were responsible for his brother’s death. How will he confront the ‘Angel of Vengeance’ (Chang)? Find out in Only God Forgives.

Positives:

Cinematography
Background Score
Performances

Negatives:

Senseless Characterization
Awful Story
Tedious Screenplay
Unwanted Scenes

Talking about the positives which were only few in the movie, the cinematography was astonishing, probably the best of the year without CGI. A range of shades and lights used by Winding Refn defines his ability in delivering an art piece. The camera was handled very well, visually this is a film to watch out for.

Everything apart from the sound and the visuals doesn’t made any sense. The characters looked unnatural, they doesn’t make any sense. I totally get what the director is trying to say, bit a lil’ liveliness and novelty could have helped out. The plot was undoubtedly a boring one. Totally wearisome and dreary, it initiates with a murder turning into a revenge kinda substance and ends up in an unexpected and the worst way possible. It had tried to say something strong and brawny but I don’t really get it.

Performances in the movie were strong enough, Ryan Gosling hardly speaks in the movie, but the intensity was well delivered. Vithaya Pansringram delivered a powerful performance as a badass with calm presence and a violent conduct. Director Winding Refn had presented a gorgeous looking film but he absolutely got wrong in the story and narration of the movie. More intensity in the plot and acceptable characters could have worked wonders as the movie Drive.

To sum it up, Only God Forgives is a movie to watch out for if you’re interested in artistic skills like cinematography and film-making. It’s definitely not for the mainstream and commercial audience. I indubitably don’t recommend it for you guys. But if you’re still interested in certain aspects watch it once.