Forge (2025)

User Review

• 

  ScreenZealots

  7 / 10

  Writer / director Jing Ai Ng’s “Forge” is a basic crime drama that doesn’t do much to reinvent the genre, but delivers a fun ride along the way.
  
  The story follows the Zhang siblings, Raymond (Brandon Soo Hoo) and Coco (Andie Ju), as they turn their artistic talents into a lucrative scam: selling forged paintings to wealthy buyers who think they’re getting masterpieces. Their scheme works well until they meet Holden Beaumont (Edmund Donovan), a disgraced millionaire whose own greed sets off a chain of events that threatens to unravel everything. Eventually the Zhang’s life of crime catches up to them, but not after a series of satisfying swindles pad their pockets (and their egos).
  
  It’s a slick and stylish underdog story where out antiheroes happen to be novice yet impressively skilled con artists. Ju and Soo Hoo are well cast in their roles, and their scenes where the pair play off Donovan are the most enjoyable.
  
  While the story itself and its message of how greed leads to downfall is predictable, what makes the film stand out is its deep appreciation for the art world. Art lovers will get the most out of its layered exploration of authenticity, deception, and value, but even those unfamiliar with fine art will find it accessible and entertaining.
  
  The production design is surprisingly polished for an indie film, lending the world of high-stakes forgery a sleek, immersive quality. Ng has a solid eye for directing, and at times you’d swear you’re watching a big budget Hollywood project.
  
  The film isn’t without flaws, however. At over two hours, the movie drags and could easily lose 30 minutes without sacrificing much. The performances can feel clunky though the characters themselves are well-written and engaging. The biggest issue is the lack of suspense, especially as FBI Art Crimes agent Emily Lee (Kelly Marie Tran) slowly pieces together the case. Where is the excitement when the audience already knows everything? This makes the investigation feel more like a formality than a thrilling unraveling of secrets.
  
  Ultimately, “Forge” is a well-crafted film that plays things straight. There are no shocking twists nor major betrayals, just a methodical (yet entertaining) story about con artistry, ambition, and inevitable consequences. While it doesn’t break new ground, it’s a well-made story about the art world and the gray areas of deception that lie within it.
  
  By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

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