Ryan Gosling plays a strong, silent type in Only God Forgives, a crime thriller from Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn.

An expat American living in Bangkok, Julian (Gosling) deals drugs for cash and fights for fun - although if you're hoping to see that winning smile you'll be disappointed.

Only God Forgives is a solemn genre film that sees an enigmatic Julian failing to visibly react to the death of his brother (Tom Burke), taking verbal abuse from his bossy crime-lady mother (a blonde Kristin Scott Thomas) on the chin as she orders revenge.

Strong violence follows: this is not for the squeamish.

There are darkly funny moments and the odd flash of seedy erotica, although Ryan's character is the type who mainly watches.

Raising a razored eyebrow over those soulful eyes, our future husband looks as hot as ever - and the cinematography is super stylish.

Warning though - it's more a film for fans of cult martial arts tributes than one for those who go weak at the knees for the Gosling.

Only God Forgives is in cinemas 2 August

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Ryan Gosling won't eat his cereal