Election

I didn’t know what to expect from Election, but it turned out to be a really different kind of crime movie. It’s about Hong Kong triads, but there are no big shootouts or car chases. Director Johnnie To shows how power works inside these criminal groups, and it’s more about politics and betrayal than action.

The story is simple. The Wo Shing triad picks a new leader every two years. Two guys are fighting for it: Lok, who’s calm and smart, and Big D, who’s loud and angry. When Lok wins, Big D loses his mind and starts a war. They all fight over a wooden baton that symbolizes leadership. It sounds basic, but the way it plays out is anything but simple.

What I liked most is that the movie doesn’t make gangsters look cool. There’s no glamour here. The violence is quick and brutal when it happens, but most of the film is just men talking, plotting, and stabbing each other in the back. It feels real because this is probably how these things actually work, not the Hollywood version.

The movie looks great too. The camera work is smooth and the lighting is dark and cold. Small sounds like footsteps or doors closing create more tension than explosions would. Simon Yam is excellent as Lok. He smiles a lot but you can tell he’s dangerous underneath. Tony Leung Ka Fai plays Big D like a grown man throwing a tantrum, and it works perfectly.

Some scenes move slowly and there’s a lot of dialogue. But by the end, I realized I wasn’t just watching a gangster movie. It’s really about greed, loyalty, and how power corrupts everyone. The ending doesn’t give you closure either. It just shows that the violence will keep repeating. Election isn’t fast or flashy, but it stuck with me for days. If you want something thoughtful and realistic, give it a watch.