Watch Divergence
- R
- 2005
- 1 hr 41 min
-
5.9 (1,270)
Divergence is a Hong Kong police thriller from 2005, directed by Benny Chan and starring a trio of genre icons - Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, and Daniel Wu. Kwok plays Suen Siu-yan, a member of the Serious Crimes Unit who is haunted by the death of his sister years before. Cheng plays To Hou-sun, a veteran detective who is feeling disgruntled by the corruption and politics of the police department. Wu plays a mysterious assassin hired to take out a witness who could bring down a powerful criminal organization.
The movie opens with a flashy montage of Suen's daily routine - snorting coke, getting into bar fights, and generally living on the edge. But things take a turn when he discovers that the criminal organization responsible for his sister's death is still active and planning a major heist. Meanwhile, To is investigating a string of murders that seem to have a mysterious connection to his own past. As the two cops cross paths, they realize that they are chasing the same targets, and team up to take down the crime syndicate.
One of the standout aspects of Divergence is its stylish visuals. The movie is full of flashy cinematography, fast-paced editing, and moody lighting to create a gritty, noirish atmosphere. There are plenty of slo-mo gunfights, car chases, and other action setpieces that showcase Benny Chan's flair for visual storytelling. The movie also features a killer soundtrack, including a memorable theme song by Hong Kong pop star Eason Chan.
While the action and aesthetics are certainly impressive, Divergence also has some interesting thematic underpinnings. At its core, the movie is a commentary on the idea of divergence - the ways in which people's paths can diverge from each other, and the often tragic consequences of those divergences. Suen and To are both struggling with the divergences in their own lives - Suen's drug addiction and self-destructiveness, To's disillusionment with the police force - and the movie explores how those choices have led them to where they are. Similarly, the mysterious assassin played by Daniel Wu is also grappling with the divergent paths that led him to a life of violence and isolation.
Overall, Divergence is an engaging and stylish thriller that boasts strong performances from its three leads and some inventive action sequences. While the plot can be a bit convoluted at times, the movie's underlying themes of divergence and fate give it some real depth. If you're a fan of Hong Kong crime movies or stylish action thrillers in general, Divergence is definitely worth checking out.
Divergence is a 2005 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.