Bullet in the Head
When three close friends escape from Hong Kong to war-time Saigon to start a criminal's life, they all go through a harrowing experience which totally shatters their lives and their friendship forever.
flavo43 reviewed
7d ago•
Bullet in the Head is one of Hong Kong cinema’s most intense and emotionally charged action films, delivering a raw blend of wartime chaos, brotherhood, betrayal, and revenge. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, it throws its characters—three friends from Hong Kong—into a brutal world where survival demands sacrifice and morality quickly corrodes. Yes, its similarities to The Deer Hunter have long been acknowledged, but the film’s originality shines through in its casting, character dynamics, and the uniquely Hong Kong lens through which it views friendship under fire.
The performances are exceptional, portraying ordinary men pushed into extraordinary violence, and their downward spiral is deeply affecting. John Woo’s trademark operatic action is on full display—balletic gunfights, emotional extremes, and relentless pacing—yet the film’s heart lies in the tragic unraveling of loyalty and innocence. It’s harrowing, explosive, and unforgettable, a riveting fusion of war drama and Hong Kong action cinema at its peak.