Only God Forgives
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Nicolas Winding Refn |
Key people | Nicolas Winding Refn (director), Ryan Gosling (lead actor), Kristin Scott Thomas, Vithaya Pansringarm |
| Products | Action film |
Only God Forgives is a 2013 action film crafted and helmed by Nicolas Winding Refn, featuring performances from Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Vithaya Pansringarm. Shot on location in Bangkok, Thailand, this film, similar to Refn’s previous work Drive, pays tribute to Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky. It was a contender for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
The production was led by Lene Børglum, Sidonie Dumas, and Vincent Maraval, with involvement from studios such as Gaumont, Wild Bunch, Space Rocket Nation, Motel Movies, and Bold Films. In the United States, distribution was managed by The Weinstein Company via RADiUS-TWC, while Scanbox Entertainment handled Scandinavian markets and Wild Side Films oversaw the French release.
With a production cost of $4.8 million, Only God Forgives earned roughly $10.6 million globally. Upon its premiere at Cannes, reactions were mixed; critics lauded its soundtrack, action choreography, and Refn’s distinctive directorial style but expressed dissatisfaction with the narrative and character arcs.
Plot
Julian and Billy, two American brothers living abroad, operate a Muay Thai boxing gym in Bangkok that serves as a cover for narcotics trafficking. Billy's aggression intensifies when he assaults and kills a minor prostitute, provoking retribution from her father, Choi. Police lieutenant Chang permits Choi to administer a brutal beating. Subsequently, Chang punishes Choi for his daughter's prostitution by amputating his forearm.
Julian confronts Choi but refrains from killing him after hearing his explanation. Their mother, Crystal, arrives demanding vengeance for Billy’s demise; however, Julian declines. Crystal then allies with rival drug lord Byron to assassinate Chang in exchange for a share in her drug enterprise. Following Choi’s murder, Chang investigates but absolves Julian of involvement. Julian introduces Mai, a prostitute pretending to be his partner, to Crystal, who humiliates them both.
Byron’s assassins attack Chang at a dining venue, causing civilian and police casualties. Chang kills one assailant and tortures another to locate Li Po—a man orchestrating hits to support his disabled child; Chang executes the hitman but spares Li Po. Chang captures and tortures Byron before killing him but fails to uncover who commissioned the hits. Julian later confronts Chang at his club but suffers a decisive defeat. Crystal pressures Julian to kill Chang, promising a return home and a stable family life.
Julian and his associate Charlie plan an ambush on Chang; however, Julian kills Charlie to protect Chang’s daughter. When Chang confronts Crystal, she reveals Julian’s violent tendencies; Chang kills her by stabbing her throat. Julian discovers Crystal’s body and reacts with extreme violence. In the closing scene, Julian offers his hands to Chang for punishment using the same weapon that killed Crystal. The film ends with Chang singing karaoke alongside fellow officers.
Cast
- Ryan Gosling portrays Julian Thompson, an American residing in Bangkok who holds influence within the criminal underworld. Gosling joined the cast in June 2011 after Luke Evans exited due to scheduling conflicts. He underwent rigorous Muay Thai training involving daily sessions lasting two to three hours, with director Nicolas Winding Refn also participating in training. Gosling had previously collaborated with Refn on Drive (2011). Julian delivers only 17 lines throughout the film. A pivotal scene featuring Julian originated from Gosling himself.
- Kristin Scott Thomas plays Crystal Thompson, mother of Julian and Billy; her character is depicted as a ruthless mafia matriarch blending elements reminiscent of Lady Macbeth and Donatella Versace. Scott Thomas was cast by May 2011.
- Vithaya Pansringarm embodies Lieutenant Chang / "The Angel of Vengeance," representing Old Testament themes of divine justice mixed with mercy. Pansringarm performed his own Muay Thai fighting and singing for this role. Refn characterized this figure as mythological and connected to themes explored in his earlier films.
- Gordon Brown appears as Gordon, lieutenant to Julian and Billy; Brown had roles in Refn's Bronson and Valhalla Rising.
- Rhatha Phongam portrays Mai, a prostitute linked to Julian.
- Tom Burke plays Billy Thompson, Julian’s elder brother.
- Byron Gibson appears as Byron
- Danai Thiengdham plays Li Po
- Sahajak Boonthanakit is Police Colonel Kim
- Nophand Boonyai portrays Charlie
- Teerawat Mulvilai acts as Ko Sam
- Kovit Wattanakul takes on the role of Choi Yan Lee
- Wittchuta Watjanarat appears as Ma Fong
Production
Nicolas Winding Refn conceived Only God Forgives as a thriller Western transplanted to the Far East, featuring a contemporary cowboy protagonist. Although he initially intended to direct this project following Valhalla Rising (2009), Refn opted to helm Drive first at Ryan Gosling's suggestion. Gosling described the screenplay as "the strangest thing I've ever read." Similar to Drive, the shooting was predominantly conducted in chronological order, with many scenes edited on the same day they were filmed.
The film's footage made its debut at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Refn linked this work stylistically to Drive, portraying it as an extension of that film’s aesthetic—"rooted in genuine emotions but presented within an intensified reality," referring to it as a modern fairy tale.
Reception
During its Cannes screening, the movie elicited divided reactions, provoking both boos and standing ovations. Critical responses were mixed in mainstream circles: Rotten Tomatoes assigns it a 41% approval rating based on 167 reviews, acknowledging striking visuals but critiquing its narrative and character development; Metacritic gives it a score of 37 out of 100, reflecting generally unfavorable opinions.
Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph awarded three stars, expressing reservations about the characters and dialogue but commending Refn’s audacious and stylized direction following the commercial success of Drive. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian rated it five stars, praising its formal artistry despite its graphic violence. In contrast, John Patterson, also writing for The Guardian, criticized the film for lacking originality and a coherent plot.
Bill Gibron of PopMatters proposed that alternative casting and direction might have elevated the film to critical heights comparable to David Lynch’s oeuvre. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times offered a favorable review, emphasizing Refn’s bold stylistic choices and Gosling’s intense lead portrayal.
In 2015, Only God Forgives was recognized among The Guardian's list of the top 50 films released during the decade up to that point.
Awards
The film received the Grand Prize at the Sydney Film Festival.
See also
- Only God Forgives (soundtrack)
- My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, a documentary chronicling the film’s production and release