Only God Forgives has won the Sydney Film Prize, Digital Spy said.

Nicolas Winding Refn has taken the award for a second time for the divisive Ryan Gosling-starring movie.

The violent film, which also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, has divided critics since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival last month.

"After 10 days of captivating and diverse film viewing and passionate conversations, the jury arrived at a majority decision," said jury president, actor Hugo Weaving.

"In the true spirit of the competition criteria, we award a visually mesmerising and disturbing film, which polarised our opinions."

Refn said in a statement: "I am very honoured and extremely excited to have received this honourable award from a country that, in my opinion, has one of the great film histories of the world."

He previously received the award for his 2009 film Bronson.

Only God Forgives will be released on July 19 in the U.S.