Movie Review: Atonement

🎬 Atonement – A Promising Drama That Loses Its Grip I watched Atonement on Friday night, and I’m left conflicted. It’s not a bad movie, but it’s not one I can call good either. It feels like it should work on the story, the build up and the climax, but something is just slightly off throughout.

🧩 Uneven Build-Up, No Payoff The film sets up a compelling premise: a single father, Lung (played by Ronald Cheng), takes his daughter Ying on a long-awaited trip to Thailand, only for her to be kidnapped. What follows is a two-year descent into obsession and vengeance. Sounds intense, right? But the tension never really grips. Scenes drift without urgency, and the ending feels abrupt and emotionally flat with no real climax.

🎭 Capable Cast, Flat Impact Ronald Cheng steps away from his usual comedic roles to play a grim, determined father. His performance is solid, and Chrissie Chau (as Lan, his Thai-Chinese wife) adds emotional texture. Fu Shun Ying, as the daughter, is endearing. But despite the cast’s efforts, the film’s emotional beats don’t land with the weight they should. It’s like watching good actors trapped in a story that never fully comes alive.

🎥 Style Over Substance Visually, the film has moments of polish. The Thailand setting adds grit and atmosphere, and the cinematography tries to evoke a sense of dread and isolation. But it often feels like the film is more interested in mood than momentum. The action sequences, while brutal, lack the choreography and intensity of similar films like Paradox (2017), which Atonement clearly draws inspiration from.

🎬 Production Notes Directed by Ronald Cheng and Mark Wu, Atonement was actually shot back in 2018 but shelved until 2025. This delay may explain some of its uneven tone and outdated feel. It’s a spiritual cousin to Cheng’s earlier work, but it lacks the sharpness and emotional clarity of his best performances.

🗣️ Final Verdict ⭐️⭐️ / 5 Atonement is watchable and has flashes of promise, but it won’t leave a lasting mark. If you’re curious, it’s worth a try, if you’re a fan of Ronald Cheng, BUT don’t expect a gripping or satisfying ride. It’s a film that had all the right parts but couldn’t quite put them together into something truly impactful.