Amphetamine poster
#13092 This Week

Amphetamine

Amphetamine  ·  2010, Hong Kong
5.8
3,911 ratings
1
Film
0
Watchlisted
● Completed 🕑 2010

Kafka is straight while Daniel happens to be gay. The young men fall in love, believing that their love can bridge anything, despite their difference in sexuality and Kafka's drug-taking. Daniel does not regret his love…

Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Episodes
Reviews (5)

Amphetamine is a raw, unflinching Hong Kong art film that dives deep into the turbulent intersection of love, trauma, and addiction. Kafka, a straight young man battling a crippling amphetamine habit, finds himself drawn into the orbit of Daniel, a gentle and wealthy gay man who falls for him unconditionally. Their relationship defies simple labels—Kafka is not gay, yet the emotional and physical connection they forge becomes an anchor in a sea of chaos. As Kafka's drug use spirals, plunging him into hallucinations and self-destruction, Daniel struggles to be a lifeline, believing their bond can overcome anything. This is not a conventional romance; it's a harrowing exploration of survival, pain, and the desperate need for human connection when all else fails. Directed by the provocative Scud, the film is celebrated for its striking visual poetry, brutal honesty, and fearless performances. It asks uncomfortable questions about identity, consent, and whether love can truly heal or merely distort. Controversial and polarizing, Amphetamine lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, challenging viewers to look beyond the surface and confront the darkness within.

Episode data is coming soon.

5.8
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CV
cinematic_vision
Mar 14, 2025
9/10
I’ve never seen a film that uses color and light quite like this. Every shot feels painted—the drug scenes are disorienting yet beautiful, and the close-ups on the actors’ faces hold so much pain. Scud’s visual language is beyond words. Even if the story didn’t fully click for me, I’d watch it again just for the cinematography.
HO
heart_over_logic
Jan 20, 2025
8/10
Yes, it’s dark and messy, but I couldn’t help rooting for Daniel and Kafka. The way Daniel cares for him despite everything—that unconditional devotion broke my heart. Their love isn’t perfect; it’s flawed and painful, but it feels real. I cried during the final act. Not for everyone, but for me it was a beautiful tragedy.
PP
plot_police
Oct 8, 2024
3/10
I appreciate the ambition, but the script fails on every logical level. Why does Daniel fall for Kafka? We never see real emotional development—just scenes of drug use and sex. The ‘straight guy turned gay by love’ trope is tired and harmful. The pacing drags, and the ending feels unearned. Sorry, this is style over substance with no coherent story.
QL
queer_lens_critic
Nov 30, 2024
5/10
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, the film courageously depicts trauma and addiction. On the other, the power dynamic between Daniel (wealthy, persistent) and Kafka (vulnerable, addicted) raises serious consent questions. The narrative seems to romanticize unhealthy dependency. It’s worth watching as a conversation starter, but I can’t recommend it without major caveats about its problematic representation.
MM
melody_miner
Dec 5, 2024
7/10
The music is haunting and deeply atmospheric. I loved how the instrumental score swells during the hallucination sequences—it perfectly mirrors Kafka’s fractured mind. The lack of a traditional soundtrack actually works in its favor; the silence is deafening at key moments. Not a pleasant watch, but the sonic experience alone deserves recognition.