Desperation Road

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2:30

Desperation Road

R

2023

1h 52m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

The whole farrago is based on a novel by Michael Farris Smith, who is also a producer which may explain why the script keeps digressing to introduce more badly drawn secondary characters.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 14, 2023

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

The performances deliver and rise to the occasion, but the erratic plot development is unforgivably disappointing. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Jul 2, 2024

Full Review

Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

It's a solid thriller about redemption and forgiveness.

Rated: 3 stars

Oct 25, 2023

Full Review

Tatiana Hullender

Screen Rant

Despite a screenplay penned by the author of its source material, Desperation Road never quite reaches the heights of Michael Farris Smith's novel.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 18, 2023

Full Review

Tyler Treese

ComingSoon.net

Desperation Road does a great job of condensing the novel it is based on into a meaningful film that clocks in under two hours.

Rated: 7/10

Oct 18, 2023

Full Review

Chris Gelderd

Flickering Myth

An adaptation that seems to care for the material it’s based on and looks great on screen with a talented cast and crew bringing it to life.

Oct 18, 2023

Full Review

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j m

A visually impressive movie with some incredible performances, doomed from the start by an asinine story, poorly adapted for screen. I've never appreciated the craft of cinema so much while being so bored and frustrated by the events I'm witnessing.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

Full Review

Frans B

Really massive black hole in the plot, BUT, the whole cast is convincing in character, the action and general storyline will keep you occupied. It manages to create a rugged, no-nonsense ambiance suited for revenge genre.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

Daniel H

With a plot hole so big you could drive the truck that killed her partner through it. It is absolutely absurd that she doesn’t recognise the person that was put in jail for driving a truck into her partner and killing him and she was present at. Totally stupid. Why a film would get made with such a preposterous plot hole beggars belief.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Como um suspense, entregou cenas de qualidade, boa atuação e personagens com um desenvolvimento básico mas bom, um filme que vale a pena assistir.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

Full Review

Chris T

The only failing of this film is the title..and possibly a slow first act. This is a wonderful examination of the tangled reality of life, of those who are good and make mistakes, and those who are otherwise. The artists who bring these troubled...real...textural characters to life, make this a film very much worth your time. To take offence....to hate, is easy. To forgive.. so few do. This film delivers us a parable of redemption when it should not exist...of looking forward for the love of others, not looking back upon the wrongs against us. Wonderfully cast and, while a little unsure of its action vs drama / moral path, overall very well done 👏

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

Full Review

Julie S

Really, really boring. That's two hours I'll never get back.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

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Nadine Crocker

Director

Garrett Hedlund

Russell

Willa Fitzgerald

Actor

Mel Gibson

Actor

Ryan Hurst

Actor

Woody McClain

Actor

Desperation Road: Movie Clip - Something You Ain't Telling Me

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Desperation Road: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

Director: Nadine Crocker
Producer: Cassian Elwes, Nadine Crocker, Michael Farris Smith, Walter Josten, Paul Robarts
Screenwriter: Michael Farris Smith
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Hopeful Romantix Productions, Balcony 9 Productions, Grindstone Entertainment Group, Capstone Studios, Signature Entertainment, Elevated Films (II)
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Sexuality|Nudity|Sexual Assault|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2023
Runtime: 1h 52m

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