A Most Violent Year

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A Most Violent Year

R

Released Dec 31, 2014

2h 4m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

230 Reviews

69%

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25,000+ Ratings

In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier (Oscar Isaac) tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business.

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Critics Consensus

Gritty, gripping, and weighted with thought-provoking heft, A Most Violent Year represents another strong entry in writer-director J.C. Chandor's impressive filmography.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

Instead of directing a movie that screams "HEY, IT'S THE '80S," he made one that looks, sounds, and feels like a refugee from that era, and lets the audience do the rest.

May 30, 2016

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Adam Nayman

Reverse Shot

A Most Violent Year's final scenes are its worst: they reveal that the plot's sure-footed plodding hasn't led anywhere unexpected, narratively or thematically.

Dec 14, 2015

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

A Most Violent Year resonates as the rare film to not simply take its superficial cues from The Godfather, but to truly understand its underlying ideas -- and, more impressive still, to re-work them into something thrillingly unique.

Oct 20, 2015

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

There is something to be said about sitting back and watching good actors work.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

A Most Violent Year is a brilliant look at greed, hubris, and the effect of capitalism, and it cements Chandor as a distinctive voice in American cinema.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 18, 2022

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

[S]et in the crime-ridden culture of early 1980s New York City (which was the most violent year on record in the city’s history), it's a smart, shadowy tribute to the crime dramas of the seventies and early eighties...

Aug 9, 2022

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Oaklee D

I was introduced to the work of Oscar Isaacs when I saw this movie for the first time a few years ago. Upon rewatching it I found that even though Isaacs offers a great performance, this film is a very slow slog to sit through. It definitely won't be everybody's cup of tea and it wasn't mine but go see it and decide that for yourself.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/24

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Jodi W

I honestly did not expect myself to say this but this may be one of the best films I have seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

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Mick V

A24 films, watch this film about 1981, who’s the bad guy?

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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Gareth v

A hefty drama on trying to stay on the right side of ledger when events are stacking up around you that can push you over the edge. Oscar Issac is fantastic in the lead role, in what is one of the more underrated movies of 2014.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/01/24

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KB B

This was a very enjoyable film with great acting and storyline. Oscar Issac is one of my favorite actors. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

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Jerod S

I was surprised with how understated A Most Violent Year was. Isaac and Chastain run a oil company in NYC in the early 80s. Things are shady and they've evading violence against their employees and charges from the DA.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

Full Review

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J.C. Chandor

Director

Oscar Isaac

Abel Morales

Jessica Chastain

Anna

David Oyelowo

Lawrence

Alessandro Nivola

Peter Forente

Albert Brooks

Andrew Walsh

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Synopsis

In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier (Oscar Isaac) tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business.

Director: J.C. Chandor
Producer: Neal Dodson, Anna Gerb, J.C. Chandor
Screenwriter: J.C. Chandor
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Before the Door, Old Bull Pictures, Washingston Square Films
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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