A History of Violence

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Fifty T @RT01421419 Nov 2, 2026 Viggo Mortensen Brilliantly Peels Back the Layers I love how cleanly this graphic novel adaptation holds up today. It takes its time at first, but that deliberate pace is exactly what makes the small-town setup work so well. Once the tension snaps, the brisk ninety minutes fly by. Even when the plot leans into familiar thriller territory, the phenomenal acting keeps you completely hooked. Viggo Mortensen is the absolute anchor here, peeling back the layered shades of his character with incredible precision as the story unfolds. Ed Harris brings a brilliant, menacing edge to the screen, while Mario Bello provides a deeply grounded emotional core. 7.5/10: It is a lean, sharp look at how the past refuses to stay buried. See more

Blu B @RT43513976 Nov 2, 2026 All Time Classic. I think the trick here is to go into this not expecting anything like a regular Cronenberg movie. It has almost none of his trademarks besides some very brief gore from some action scenes. It really reminds me more of a film directed by Sam Peckinpah than anything. The acting is really good but probably the one thing that could be a little campy/cheesy sometimes with line delivery in this. Viggo is really good playing a subdued likeable performance for such a dark terrifying character. Harris is the best thing man and is excellent. Music is really atmospheric and very well used but I wish it was a bit more distinct. Everything else is first rate with really good direction. It's a very simple premise with a lot of twists and turns as the characters deal with the sins of the past, trauma from being a hero, and is a meditation on violence. This is something that on repeat viewings I can see coming away with different takes on what is touched upon and how violence can b See more

Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 Oct 4, 2026 I didn't much care for Viggo as Aragorn, but I warmed to him as an actor subsequently, mainly on account of his collaborations with Cronenberg. This, the first, is also the weaker of the two. I think the source material was a graphic novel (you can look up the details), but awkwardly Cronenberg has stripped too much away, so a major flaw is evident. I won't spoil it, but it has to do with motivation in the backstory. But leaving that gaping hole to one side, this is an entertaining and grim tale of a have-a-go hero who becomes an overnight celebrity, leading to some very unwelcome company. A man must defend his home, especially in a country where everyone is packing heat. The final act is rather too far-fetched. Still, great performance from your man V. See more

Robert P @Superbad Sep 25, 2026 A History of Violence = a *4* star Movie! See more

Craig W @CJWolfe27 Sep 3, 2026 This is an extremely good movie… if you haven’t seen it it is definitely worth a watch See more

Jamie W @winenanator Aug 22, 2026 Good movie …. It’s worth a watch… but it’s missing something… more Violence See more

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A History of Violence

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