The Shadow of Violence

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The Shadow of Violence

R

Released Jul 31, 2020

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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94%

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71 Reviews

70%

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.

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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.

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Steve Pond

TheWrap

[Cosmo Jarvis] is quietly gripping as Arm.

Aug 3, 2020

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Ryan Lattanzio

IndieWire

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.

Rated: B

Jul 31, 2020

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Nick Allen

RogerEbert.com

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.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 31, 2020

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...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....

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2025

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

It’s gritty and sombre in tone, but, like its central character, has a good and gentle heart at its core.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2024

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Ross McIndoe

Vague Visages

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.

Sep 22, 2023

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Jerod S

Jarvis is an ex-boxer that's caught between doing crime for a drug family and trying to father an autistic boy. Sad.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

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Jeffrey P

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.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/24

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Hash L

Hon Dympna yup rochestown… Co. Cork🇮🇪

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/24

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Prestwood P

Movie is gripping .. and we got an another Tom Hardy .. like his performance as Bronson, Eric Banna in Chopper , Jason Patrick on Narc…. Perfect role and casting that took elevated the film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/23

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Ted B

3 5 stars; The Irish can make a film so raw, that it is still painful hours after watching it. This movie is a prime example. The acting was real, too real, such that it made the violence horrific. Yet at the same time, the protagonist evoked feelings of empathy in this sea of violence. Cosmo Jarvis does an excellent job as a former boxer who works as an enforcer for a family of drug dealers in rural Ireland, so as to care for his autistic son. All the moral conflicts in his life cause him to come undone.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/22

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isla s

This is very much a bleak, gritty watch, with lots of swearing, aggression, bloody violence and the like. I thought it was interesting seeing how the young children reacted being around the aggressive people, their parents (primarily the father). It's a dark and sad watch at times but it does have some quite gripping scenes - confrontations and a fast paced car chase scene coming to mind. Its a film about family and loyalty set in Ireland. The performances are pretty good and yes, I'd recommend this film, if your interested.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Nick Rowland

Director

Cosmo Jarvis

Arm

Barry Keoghan

Dympna

Niamh Algar

Ursula

Ned Dennehy

Paudi

David Wilmot

Hector

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The Indie Fresh List: The Shadow of Violence, Summerland, The Fight, and Yes, God, Yes

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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)

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