The Weight Review: Ethan Hawke Shines in Tense, Old-School Survival Drama

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The year is 1933 in Oregon, and the country is deep in the Great Depression. Samuel Murphy is a widower doing his best to raise his daughter, Penny, but he’s a skilled mechanic unable to make ends meet. When they search for a more affordable place to live, they end up in a dangerous neighborhood, leading to a fight with some local police officers. As a result, Samuel is suddenly separated from Penny and sent away to a work camp.

After serving several months of his sentence, Murphy focuses on hard work, which gets the attention of Warden Clancy, a man of few words but considerable influence. However, even if Murphy is released – his sentence is less than a year – Penny, his daughter, might be adopted, meaning he could lose her forever. Clancy offers him a chance to avoid this: a risky, unofficial assignment. President Roosevelt recently ordered all local gold mines to close and hand over their gold, but one mine is refusing to cooperate. Murphy’s job is to secretly transport half a ton of gold from that mine, across the rugged Oregon wilderness, to a predetermined location.

So, Murphy’s pretty much forced into taking this dangerous job, and he ends up rounding up a crew of other convicts to help. It’s a seriously mismatched bunch – there’s Rankin, who won’t stop talking and has some really outdated views, Singh, a smart, bookish guy with socialist leanings, and Olson, a quiet Scandinavian family man. Plus, we’ve got two ever-watchful guards, and a Native American woman, Julia Jones, who decides she’s had enough of her old life and demands to come along. It’s this whole unlikely group that has to haul gold bricks a hundred miles through the Oregon wilderness – talk about a challenging trek!

Similar to intense survival films like Sorcerer, Aguirre, the Wrath of God, and The Revenant, The Weight is a carefully made story of a person battling the elements. Ethan Hawke delivers a physically challenging performance, convincingly portraying his character’s inner turmoil and difficult choices. The film is packed with thrilling action sequences – including a crumbling bridge reminiscent of Sorcerer and Indiana Jones, and a dangerous rush of logs down a river – all beautifully filmed in stunning natural locations. It’s a visually impressive movie, showcasing the kind of authentic on-location shooting that’s becoming rare.

Conflict naturally arises among the characters, and their relationships develop in predictable, yet compelling, ways. The actors deliver consistently strong performances, making the increasing tension and eventual violence feel authentic and emotionally resonant. The situation is incredibly high-stakes: losing even one gold bar means certain death, moving too slowly risks exposure, and even if they succeed, there’s no guarantee the other side will keep their word.

Director Padraic McKinley, working with screenwriters Matthew Booi, Matthew Chapman, and Shelby Gaines, has created characters that feel both recognizable and genuinely compelling. The film, beautifully shot by Matteo Cocco, expertly captures the stunning beauty of the natural world while also reminding us of its inherent dangers. It’s called The Weight.

While the story beats are fairly familiar, The Weight is a thrilling film with exceptional cinematography that truly shines on a large screen. It’s visually stunning, filled with heart-stopping moments, and features powerful acting. The movie maintains a steady pace and keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

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2026-02-02 06:38