Believer poster

Believer

"To catch a devil, trust a sinner."

Movie 2018 2h 3m 7.2 /10
Directed by Lee Hae-young

After a brutal event disrupts his life, Won-ho, a seasoned drug trafficker, shifts allegiances and quietly teams up with Seo Young-rak, a relentless undercover officer. Their uneasy partnership aims to strike at Jin Ha-rim, the enigmatic kingpin who rules a sprawling drug empire. The plan hinges... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: February 26, 2026

About Believer

After a brutal event disrupts his life, Won-ho, a seasoned drug trafficker, shifts allegiances and quietly teams up with Seo Young-rak, a relentless undercover officer. Their uneasy partnership aims to strike at Jin Ha-rim, the enigmatic kingpin who rules a sprawling drug empire. The plan hinges on trust built between two men from opposite sides of the law, each driven by a different motive yet sharing a common goal. As they maneuver through backroom deals, street violence, and rival gangs, they must outsmart both the cartel and the investigators who hunt them. The story tracks how fear, desperation, and ambition reshape loyalties, forcing costly choices that blur the line between justice and revenge. Brian, a ruthless fixer, and Oh Yeon-ok, a calculating figure in the underworld, complicate the mission.

Released in 2018, Believer is directed by Lee Hae-young. The screenplay is a collaboration between Lee Yoon-ho, Wai Ka-Fai, and Yau Nai-Hoi, blending Korean crime storytelling with Asian cinema influences to shape a high tension heist drama.

The film sparked discussions about loyalty and double crossings in the drug war, while delivering style and substance in equal measure. Viewers remember the stark confrontations, the night time cityscapes, and the sharp performances from Cho Jin-woong, Ryu Jun-yeol, and Kim Joo-hyuk as key players.

Critical response highlighted the fast paced tempo, tightly woven plotting, and a morally gray atmosphere that keeps the viewer guessing. Themes of power, corruption, and the costs of crossing lines undercut simple judgments, inviting discussion about what justice looks like when institutions blur.

Box office data is not included in the available information, so the film's commercial performance cannot be assessed here. Believer nonetheless drew audiences with its choreographed action, chemistry among the leads, and a confident behind the camera approach.

Details

Release Date
May 22, 2018
Runtime
2h 3m
User Ratings
185 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Crime, Action, Thriller
Country
South Korea
Collection
Believer Collection
Studio
Yong Film +3 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Cho Jin-woong

Cho Jin-woong

Won-ho

Ryu Jun-yeol

Ryu Jun-yeol

Seo Young-rak

Kim Joo-hyuk

Kim Joo-hyuk

Jin Ha-rim

Cha Seung-won

Cha Seung-won

Brian

Kim Sung-ryung

Kim Sung-ryung

Oh Yeon-ok

Park Hae-joon

Park Hae-joon

Park Seon-chang

Nam Moon-chul

Nam Moon-chul

Department Head

Seo Hyun-woo

Seo Hyun-woo

Jeong-il

Kang Seung-hyun

Kang Seung-hyun

So-yeon

Jung Jun-won

Jung Jun-won

Deok-cheon

Director: Lee Hae-young

Written by: Lee Yoon-ho, Wai Ka-Fai, Yau Nai-Hoi

Frequently Asked Questions

Believer is available to stream on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, Believer is available to stream on Netflix with a subscription. You can also find it on Amazon Prime Video.

With a rating of 7.2/10 from 185 viewers, Believer is well-received and recommended by the community. It's a good pick if you enjoy crime, action, and thriller stories.

After a brutal event disrupts his life, Won-ho, a seasoned drug trafficker, shifts allegiances and quietly teams up with Seo Young-rak, a relentless undercover officer. Their uneasy partnership aims to strike at Jin Ha-rim, the enigmatic kingpin who rules a sprawling drug empire. The plan hinges ...

Cho Jin-woong plays Won-ho in Believer. Won-ho is one of the central characters in the film's crime thriller plot.

Ryu Jun-yeol plays Seo Young-rak in Believer. Seo Young-rak is the undercover police officer involved in the takedown of the cartel.