Overview
A relentless detective dives deep into the criminal underworld to dismantle a notorious drug cartel.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- tense
- paranoid
- propulsive
- late night thriller viewing
- crime movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a stylishly directed and suspenseful Korean crime action thriller whose technical craft and energy outpaced its familiar, less substantial narrative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Won-ho's investigation centers on uncovering the identity and reality of Asia's largest drug cartel boss, known only through rumors and intermediaries.
The detective joins forces with revenge-driven gang member Seo Young-rak to reach the cartel's unseen leader.
The investigation repeatedly tests whether gang members, informants, and alleged cartel figures are who they claim to be.
Drug manufacturing spaces, criminal set pieces, electronic scoring, and sharply composed action give the cartel world an amplified visual identity.
Films like Believer, and why
The Drug King
Korean crime action, undercover investigation, drug trafficking, and tense pursuit of an elusive kingpin
Drug War
stylish drug-crime thriller built around undercover identities, criminal networks, and escalating suspense
New World
muscular police thriller featuring corruption, criminal conspiracies, and morally compromised investigators
Infernal Affairs
propulsive Asian crime thriller with violent cartel dynamics and a determined law-enforcement protagonist
Movie Details
- Director
- Lee Hae-young
- Release Date
- 2018-05-22
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (198)
Cast
- Cho Jin-woong
- Ryu Jun-yeol
- Kim Joo-hyuk
- Cha Seung-won
- Kim Sung-ryung
- Park Hae-joon
- Nam Moon-chul
- Seo Hyun-woo
- Kang Seung-hyun
- Jung Jun-won
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Believer about?
- A relentless detective and a vengeance-driven gang defector navigate shifting loyalties while hunting the phantom boss of a vast Asian drug cartel.
- What is Believer like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Believer as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Believer violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Believer as graphic.
- What did critics think of Believer?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a stylishly directed and suspenseful Korean crime action thriller whose technical craft and energy outpaced its familiar, less substantial narrative.
- Which films are like Believer?
- Films with a similar feel include The Drug King, Drug War, New World, and Infernal Affairs.
- How long is Believer?
- Believer runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Believer?
- In United States, Believer streams on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Hi-YAH Amazon Channel.
