Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Music film

Paradox (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Paradox (2018) movie poster

Paradox is a 2018 music film starring Willie Nelson as Red, Neil Young and Lukas Nelson. It runs 1 hour 13 minutes and earned $79.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
worldwide gross
$79.2M
Echo Score
68
Metascore
29
Loading streaming availability…
Paradox (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 13m (73 min)
Genre
Music
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Paradox About?

The premise of Paradox without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A Hong Kong detective's life is upended when his teenage daughter disappears in Pattaya. Driven by desperation, he journeys to Thailand, plunging into a dangerous world of corruption and human trafficking. As he searches for her, he confronts ruthless criminals and uncovers a dark underbelly beneath the vibrant city. His relentless pursuit exposes a network of deceit and puts him in grave danger.

Paradox Themes & Keywords

· 7 tags
  • meat hook
  • front flip
  • mobility scooter
  • sequel
  • third part
  • thailand
  • martial arts action
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Paradox Cast & Characters

Willie Nelson leads the cast as Red, with Neil Young as The Man in the Black Hat and Lukas Nelson as Jailtime.

Also Starring in Paradox

· 6 more
Ratings

Paradox Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paradox 29 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

68 /100

Paradox Echo Score Breakdown

Paradox merges striking performances with erratic narrative flow, resulting in a film that divides opinion. Critics point to its disjointed structure and directionless sequences, while audiences commend the lead performances and inventive visual touches. The pacing oscillates between engaging slow-burn moments and confusing plot jumps. On balance, the film offers memorable acting and style but struggles with coherent storytelling, producing a mixed but intriguing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of direction and cinematography, Paradox presents a collision of experimental ambition and uneven execution. Critics describe the film as choppy and directionless, citing half-baked imagery and inconsistent editing. Audience reactions praise the stylish visual choices, noting a cohesive color palette and elevated framing. While the film achieves striking moments of visual flair, its overall craft suffers from irregular pacing and abrupt transitions.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to acting and character depth, Paradox benefits from compelling performances. Audiences highlight Olga Kurylenko's nuanced portrayal and Harvey Keitel’s commanding presence, praising their chemistry and emotional resonance. Critics are less enthusiastic, offering scant commentary on character development. Overall, the film’s principal cast delivers engaging portrayals that anchor its more experimental aspects, even if secondary figures remain underexplored.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Paradox grapples with structural inconsistencies. Reviews mention inscrutable imagery and abrupt narrative jumps that undermine engagement. Nevertheless, some viewers find the slow-burn approach and unexpected twists genuinely compelling, with suspenseful sequences maintaining attention. Despite its moments of originality, the film struggles to sustain a clear throughline, leading to a mixed impression of its storytelling efficacy.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding sensory experience, Paradox pairs an atmospheric soundtrack with inventive sound design and dynamic visuals. Viewers appreciate the heightened tension created by strategic musical cues and crisp audio mixing, while the visual style features bold framing and stylized compositions. Critics, however, find its experimental imagery disorienting. Overall, the film offers an arresting sensory palette, even if its visual ambition occasionally overwhelms narrative clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Concerning rewatch value, Paradox delivers moments of striking imagery and strong lead performances that may reward repeat viewings. Audience enthusiasm centers on standout stunts and emotional beats that retain impact. Critics do not highlight rewatch potential, focusing instead on structural flaws. As a result, the film offers isolated sequences worth revisiting, though its uneven pacing and narrative opacity may limit broader replay appeal.

Plot

Paradox Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Paradox from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

When Hong Kong police inspector Lee Chung-chi receives distressing news about the unexpected disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Lee Wing-chi (portrayed by Hanna Chan), during her trip to Pattaya, he makes the urgent decision to journey to Thailand in search of her. There, he finds support in the form of local Chinese detective Chui Kit and his Thai associate Tak, while also encountering American gangster Sacha.

Full summary

The whole story of Paradox, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Paradox Box Office

Paradox grossed $79.2 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$79.2M

International
$79.2M
Videos

Paradox Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Paradox.

Paradox | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Paradox?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main character searching for his daughter?

Details

Paradox Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “SPL 3” and “SPL 3 Paradox”.

Also known as
  • SPL 3
  • SPL 3 Paradox
  • 파라독스
  • 살파랑 3: 탐랑
  • Sha po lang: taam long
  • SPL : Paradox
  • Comando Final 3: Paradoxo
  • Sát Phá Lang 3
  • Kill Zone - Paradox
  • Paradox - Kill Zone Bangkok
  • Saat po long: Taam long
  • 杀破狼3
+16 more
  • 杀破狼3·贪狼
  • S P L 3
  • SPL III : Paradox
  • 杀破狼·贪狼
  • 殺破狼‧貪狼
  • Žádná volba
  • Парадокс
  • SPL 3: Paradox
  • Paradox - Sha po lang: taam long
  • Nincs választás
  • Strefa Śmierci 3: Bez Wyboru
  • פרדוקס
  • เดือด ซัด ดิบ
  • Sát Phá Lang 3: Tham Lang
  • S.P.L. Звезды судьбы 3: Парадокс
  • SPL 狼たちの処刑台

Seen Paradox?

FAQ

Paradox FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Paradox, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Paradox?

Paradox runs 1 hour 13 minutes (73 minutes).

When was Paradox released?

Paradox was released on March 23, 2018.

Who is in the cast of Paradox?

Paradox stars Willie Nelson as Red, Neil Young as The Man in the Black Hat and Lukas Nelson as Jailtime, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Paradox make at the box office?

Paradox grossed $79.2 million worldwide.

How is Paradox rated?

Paradox has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 29 on Metacritic, 39% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Paradox have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Paradox has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app