Watch Amphetamine

Amphetamine is a bold and provocative cinematic work that explores the complex, multi-faceted nature of love and desire. The film follows the story of a young and handsome Hong Kong man named Kafka (Byron Pang) who finds himself increasingly drawn to a mysterious Australian expatriate named Daniel (Thomas Price) after meeting him at a party. Despite the numerous barriers that exist between them, including language differences and cultural gaps, Kafka and Daniel soon form a deep and deeply compelling connection that threatens to upend everything they thought they knew about themselves and their place in the world.

As the film unfolds, we are treated to a breathtakingly honest and unflinching look at the lives of these two men as they navigate the often murky and complicated terrain of sexuality, romance, and self-discovery. Along the way, we witness the full range of human emotion, from the highest heights of passion and ecstasy to the lowest depths of despair and heartbreak. We see Kafka and Daniel struggle to reconcile their seemingly incompatible identities and to find a way to build a life together despite the many challenges that stand in their way.

One of the most striking aspects of Amphetamine is its stunning visual style. Director Scud (whose real name is Danny Cheng Wan-Cheung) has crafted a film that is both lush and languid, with a dreamlike quality that draws the viewer ever deeper into the richly textured world he has created. From the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong to the tranquil beaches of Australia, every frame of the film is a feast for the senses, combining stunning cinematography with an eclectic and evocative soundtrack that runs the gamut from techno to classical music.

But the heart of Amphetamine truly lies in its two central performances. Byron Pang and Thomas Price deliver mesmerizing turns as Kafka and Daniel, respectively, bringing a raw and unguarded vulnerability to their roles that is both deeply affecting and profoundly human. Pang, in particular, is a revelation, conveying an immense range of emotion through his expressive eyes and subtle body language. His portrayal of Kafka is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a deeply flawed but infinitely compelling character whose journey of self-discovery is both universal and deeply personal.

Despite its challenging subject matter and frank portrayal of sexuality, Amphetamine is ultimately a deeply compassionate and humanistic film that embraces the complexity and richness of the human experience. It is a love story that transcends borders and boundaries, speaking to the fundamental human desire for connection and intimacy in all its messy, beautiful, and often uncomfortable forms. In the end, it is a film that will linger in the mind and heart of the viewer long after the credits roll, a testament to the power of cinema to evoke deep and lasting emotions and to remind us all of our shared humanity.

Amphetamine is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.