Barron's Cove

Several user reviews have expressed dissatisfaction with this film; however, my viewing experience was highly positive, particularly given that I approached the film without prior knowledge. The performances were commendable, and while the narrative shares some thematic similarities with other works, it maintained my engagement throughout. In contrast to the perceived decline in quality of contemporary cinema, this film proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

This entire movie is just endless cliche after cliche.

Every beat is something we seen before.

Every beat in an order we heard before.

It tries really hard to have some sort of redemption arc but it all falls flat.

Everyone is corrupt and none of them are held accountable. We are treated to a vast conspiracy. With conspirators that are so morally bankrupt they will turn a blind eye to e child abuse.

And at no point is it clear why the vast majority of these people are participating. We're just supposed to accept it as if this takes place in some fantasy world where people are terrible by default.

Unless you're watching this to follow some particular person's career arc, there is no reason not to skip this one.

I was surprised how much I liked this film considering how over used and predictable many of the scenes and situations were in this new action thriller. The sometimes over the top the performances are often powerfully emotional and the cast particularly the lead are fully committed to the point where it is hard to come away unshaken and deeply moved, they overcome many derivative tropes of the genre. On the surface it is a revenge story but peeling back the layers there is a lot of dark human condition explored here and this combination I have not often seen before.

It never quite knocks it out of the park and it has more than a few weak spots but has some stand out memorable moments and explores a lot of uncomfortable subjects and emotions. If you like your thriller black with no sugar this dark brooding world conjured here is for you. I consider this a point above average, seven from me.

I've read a few reviews claiming the effect this movie has on those who are parents. It's an absolutely understandable feeling. But even if you don't have kids, this movie will hit you hard, as it touches on loss, the evil around us and the sacrifices we're capable of when confronted to those two. Garrett Hedlund and Stephen Lang have chilling scenes together, and the way their relationship develops towards the end of the movie will fill you with a feeling of being personally betrayed by a loved one. Highly recommended, I hope to see more of Evan Ari Kelman, he writes from the heart and has good instinct to mesh drama, thriller and crime.

Evan Ari Kelman's Barron's Cove is a haunting, slow-burn thriller that delves into grief, vengeance, and the cyclical nature of violence. Garrett Hedlund delivers a raw performance as Caleb, a father shattered by his son's tragic death. Convinced of a cover-up, he kidnaps Ethan (Christian Convery), the boy he believes responsible, igniting a tense manhunt led by Ethan's powerful father, Senator Lyle (Hamish Linklater). The film's strength lies in its moral ambiguity and the evolving bond between Caleb and Ethan, both scarred by trauma. Kelman's direction is confident, with Matthew Jensen's cinematography capturing the bleakness and fleeting hope. The film's emotional depth and thematic complexity make it a compelling watch. Truly a can't miss. Barron's Cove is a poignant exploration of loss and the desperate search for redemption.