Devil's Peak

Billy Bob Thorton, Robin Wright, and Jacob Penn bring some acting chops to this suspenseful story of a son trying to escape his fate and choose a different path. It had me on the edge of my sit. The film gives a sense of the decimation that small town America has experienced from economic hopelessness and drug addiction. Thorton gives a hard as nails performance, Wright shows us a vulnerable and nuanced, albeit drug addled mother, and Penn conveys the pain and conflict he is faced with.

This is a film that provides great performances, plot twists and suspense, a sense of place with cinematography and a script that reflects a sense of place.

IN A NUTSHELL: Set in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, the movie tells a story about a family that is dominated by a crime lord who uses his fists to control both them and his business. When his son meets the girl of his dreams, desperately wanting to escape the life he is expected to lead and free himself from the clutches of his father, he is forced to go head-to-head with the terrifying man who will stop at nothing to ensure loyalty from all of those around him.

The crime thriller is directed by Ben Young. It was written by Robert Knott, based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: This movie is not appropriate for children.

We see murder and attempted murder.

Profanity, including F-bombs and other crude language Suggestive content Lots of alcohol Talk of drug use Blood splatters Suicide

THINGS I LIKED: The fantastic cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Robin Wright, Brian d'Arcy James, Jackie Earle Haley, and Hopper Penn, the son of Oscar winner Sean Penn and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright. I didn't even recognize Billy Bob Thornton the first time he appeared on screen! Robin Wright was almost unrecognizable too. They both truly disappeared into their characters. Everyone gave excellent performances.

It must have been a great experience for Robin Wright to perform with her son in a movie. He received a Masterclass from her and Billy Bob Thornton.

The last hour is pretty intense and suspenseful.

The story is, at once, both hopeful and sad.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Acts 1 and 2 are slow-moving but hang in there. Act 3 will pick up and pay off.

It's never any fun to spend time in the gutter with people in the drug business like these characters.

Based on the title, I thought there would be more physical mountains and peaks to climb in the movie. Instead, they are emotional mountains and peaks.

I wish we could have seen more of the relationship between Hopper Penn and Katelyn Nacon.

This is severely underrated. An absolute acting class from all involved. Slow, simmering, deep, sad, intense. Couldn't take my eyes off Thornton, Wright, and her real son. Every choice in mood, attitude, etc., was amazing to watch. The musical score was also a huge factor in the overall effectiveness. So heart-wrenching. This was an immersive experience for anyone who loves watching great actors at the height of their craft. Haley always a standout, too. The geographic setting, the cinematography, all the little nuanced production details, really everything came together perfectly for this viewer. Highly recommend.

Don't trust the low rating. Billy Bob gives another captivating performance and the rest of the cast holds up as well. Hopper Penn especially did a nice job.

This is not a blockbuster though. It's a small cast in a small town setting but it still works. It's probably a 7 rating but I gave it an 8 to offset the negative ratings trying to take it down.

I watched this on a Saturday afternoon and just took my time with it. It does move slow but just stick with it and enjoy the performances. The scenes are well done and the actors really mesh. Hopefully, more Billy Bob fans will give it a watch and back up this review. It's a good film.

Devil's Peak is based on the 2015 book Where All Light Tends To Go by David Joy. It explores a complex father/son relationship set against a backdrop of crime and corruption in small town America. Thornton and Wright are at the very top of their game, inhabiting their characters in a way that is at times haunting and heartbreaking. Thornton is mostly terrifying as Charlie McNeely, the drug king pin of the Appalachian mountains, but has moments of levity and humour that give his character an interesting depth. This slow burn of a film brilliantly wraps up with some very unexpected twists, turns and changing allegiances that leave the audience on the edge of their seat. The film takes you on a journey and is a very satisfying watch.