The Shadow of Violence

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The Shadow of Violence

R

2020

1h 41m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

94%

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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.

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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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Chris F

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

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Grant H

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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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

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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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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