Violent Ends

Money is thicker then blood in the film Violent Ends. The Frost brothers may have once been farmers, but the money they now bring in and the power they wield in the Ozarks, through drug dealing, is immense. There's absolutely no love lost between the brothers Frost, Ray (Matt Riedy), Walt (Ray McKinnon) and Donny (Bruce McKinnon). Generations of resentment runs deep and they have no problem blowing away a cousin for saying the wrong thing, or gifting a niece with a poisonous snake. It's all a means to a violent end.

Lucas (Billy Magnussen) wants out of the family business. He's just gotten engaged to his love, Emma (Alexandra Shipp), and is leaving town with her, to start clean somewhere else. She's far above his station and he can't believe his luck; he adores her. Lucas' father, Ray, is in prison for drug dealing. He tells his father that he's going to be relocating with his fiance', and his father spits in his face with anger. Lucas' older half-brother, Tuck (Nick Stahl), is down on his luck and is having money trouble. Tuck is married, with a young daughter. Both Tuck and his wife really like Emma. Lucas's mother, Darlene (Kate Burton) is the town's sheriff, and has been cleaning up the family issues her entire life. She's desperately trying to push her sons, especially Lucas, to not end up like the senior male family members.

However, in Violent Ends, none of the Frosts are able to escape their fates or elude their violent nature. And when things go wrong, Frost family weapons explode, painting the run-down town with buckets of blood.

Magnussen carries the film so well. Every scene feels authentic. What I found a little distracting, initially, was Lucas's wardrobe. He wore the same ripped jeans the entire film. Yet afterward, I could see how these wardrobe choices help viewers understand that everything happened in a very compressed amount of time, possibly 48 hours, since he never changed his pants.

You'll also appreciate the casting of iconic faces you'll recognize from streaming or movies, even if you don't know their names. Jared Bankens, who plays Walt's son, looks so much like a younger Ray McKinnon, it's freaky! Loved the score, it really helped to underline the emotion and move the action along.

The film is extremely violent, and following the familial relationships was a little tricky - I had to create a family tree to keep it straight. And I was not prepared for the final twist! Tightly written and directed by John-Michael Powell, it's just been released in theaters. Violent Ends deserves to find its audience.

Well acted, good story, but something in the editing department let it down. I didn't feel any tension during the action scenes, and overall, I thought you could remove 20 minutes without losing anything.

Well acted, good story, but something in the editing department let it down. I didn't feel any tension during the action scenes, and overall, I thought you could remove 20 minutes without losing anything.

The scenes, the filming, and the story are all excellent. The acting is also flawless. Billy Magnussen's acting is excellent. The film's music perfectly complements the scenes. The composer didn't overdo it. You feel the tension at every moment. There's no exaggeration in the film. Everything feels real. I gave the film an 8. I recommend watching it.

If you like 90's Oozarks movies with realistic acting of the savage, cutthroat peoples of these places, then you will like this movie. Where families rule, and not the Law. Similar to Winter's Bone.

While Billy Magnussen gives a solid performance (much more serious than hes used to), its James Badge Dale that stands out. His Oscar worthy performance of charisma and intimidation will make you forget he was "dressed to invade Poland" in The Departed. He sure has come a long way since then. And while his performance will no doubt be overlooked, Im really glad I got to see it. Havent seen a performance like that from a newer movie in quite some time. I truely felt fear while his character was on the screen, and thats so rare for me while watching a movie.

The directing was great too Its shot really well, which is what made me want to watch it in the first place. It's a tad predictable, but I didn't mind. I loved the subtle foreshadowing throughout the movie as well.

While Violent Ends does feel like its missing that special something to make it truly stand out, its a very solid movie, and I highly recommend it if you like these types of movies. For General Audiences and todays ADHD kids.... not so much.

I'm very glad I watched it. Years ago, I wouldve rated this a solid 7.5/10, but in terms of todays awful movies, Ima bump it up to a 9/10.

Very good atmosphere, fantastic acting, great cinematography and good editing.

I was not expecting much from this movie but it surprised the hell out of me.

Violent, rugged, raw, shocking and moving all at the same time. If you want a well made crime movie that is very heavy and atmospheric give this movie a try.

It pulled me in right from the very start and didn't let go. Also has very well written dialogue to that will pull you in.