When two films tell the same story differently

Video Essay on story telling, by Just One More Thing

When we think of crime thrillers, we often picture explosive action and shocking twists.
But what if I told you one of the most powerful crime stories had no action scenes or gunshots until an hour into the film?

Before Martin Scorsese’s The Departed (2006), there was Infernal Affairs (2002), a Hong Kong crime thriller starring Tony Leung and Andy Lau. This video explores how the same story can feel completely different, and what gets lost when subtlety is replaced by spectacle.

Through its themes of identity, morality, and time, Infernal Affairs captures the tension of a city in transition and shows why it remains one of Hong Kong cinema’s defining works.