Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Shadow of Violence

Play trailer Poster for The Shadow of Violence R 2020 1h 41m Crime Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
94% Tomatometer 71 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
A former boxer cares for his autistic son while working as an enforcer for a family of drug dealers in rural Ireland.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Shadow of Violence

The Shadow of Violence

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Shadow of Violence presents a grimly effective portrait of one man's struggle with divided loyalties, elevated by standout performances from a stellar cast.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Steve Pond TheWrap 08/03/2020
[Cosmo Jarvis] is quietly gripping as Arm. Go to Full Review
Ryan Lattanzio IndieWire 07/31/2020
B
Despite the claustrophobic entrapment in a violent and hyper-masculine world, 'The Shadow of Violence' is an ultimately moving morality tale announcing a confident new voice in international cinema. Go to Full Review
Nick Allen RogerEbert.com 07/31/2020
2.5/4
While Jarvis puts a memorable mug to the script's meditations, you have to squint too much to see director Rowland's signature on this broad idea of machismo. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 29
4/5
...there’s lots of angst, lots of macho bravado, and downcast, doom-laden behaviour. It’s grim, but it is effective, and Calm With Horses should propel Cosmo Jarvis to the top of any casting director’s wish-list.... Go to Full Review
Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) 07/14/2024
4/5
It’s gritty and sombre in tone, but, like its central character, has a good and gentle heart at its core. Go to Full Review
Ross McIndoe Vague Visages 09/22/2023
Rowland’s direction throughout is clean and deliberate, rarely showy. He evokes the kind of barren small town where there is almost nothing to fight over, although some still find a way. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Jeremy W Oct 30 Brilliant acting and great direction. See more Chris F Oct 12 Excellent setting and theme for this film. But the main character ruins it. He's just a big blob, a walking, talking lump who does nothing throughout the entire film. Even when his son is being threatened by his boss, he just stands there. He's a horrible person, not very intelligent, and a terrible father. I don't mind flawed characters; I actually like them. But the problem is what the character does to confront or overcome those flaws. In this case, he doesn't. He tries to steal money for his ex and son to run away with, but that would have only made things worse and put a target on them. He even fails to get the money his son needs for proper care. And in the end, it doesn't even matter. His ex gets a job at the school anyway, while he just lies on the couch and dies. It might sound like I'm hating on the film, but this is really my only issue with it. See more Grant H @dj530 Oct 8 Indie films from Ireland seem to be on a never ending heater. Fantastic in every category, this film take an emotional toll on viewers, much as the life of the movie has taken a toll on its characters. Cosmo Jarvis is a budding star, and gives a memorable performance that is sure to be looked upon as one of his best. See more Aug 31 Yes it’s slow and sad and thoughtful. It’s probably closer to a 4 than a 5, but I’m rounding up for Cosmo’s performance. It kept me engaged when not much does. See more Jerod S 07/27/2024 Jarvis is an ex-boxer that's caught between doing crime for a drug family and trying to father an autistic boy. Sad. See more Jeffrey P 03/25/2024 A plot that does not have much development and a slow pace that gives little reason to care. Apt title though, because this feels like the shadow of a good movie. See more Read all reviews
The Shadow of Violence

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis A former boxer cares for his autistic son while working as an enforcer for a family of drug dealers in rural Ireland.
Director
Nick Rowland
Producer
Daniel Emmerson
Screenwriter
Joe Murtagh
Distributor
Saban Films
Production Co
Screen Ireland, Film 4, DMC Film, Element Pictures, WRAP Fund
Rating
R (Drug Use|Brief Nudity|Pervasive Language|Some Strong Violence)
Genre
Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 31, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 31, 2020
Runtime
1h 41m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Most Popular at Home Now