‘Violent Ends’ Review: An All-Too-Familiar Revenge Story

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It’s true that most stories have been told before – what really matters is how they’re told. The plot of a man seeking revenge for his lover’s death isn’t new, but a skilled storyteller can still make it captivating. Unfortunately, films like Violent Ends fall flat, feeling uninspired and failing to make an impact. The movie, set in 1992, centers on Lucas Frost (Billy Magnussen), a man trying to escape his family’s criminal past. When his fiancée, Emma (Alexandra Shipp), is tragically killed during a robbery involving his cousins, Lucas is pushed to his breaking point.

John-Michael Powell’s Violent Ends takes itself very seriously, but ironically comes across as somewhat superficial. The film relies on familiar tropes without offering any new perspective, which is immediately noticeable in how Emma’s death is presented. Despite intending to evoke strong emotion, the film doesn’t give the audience enough reason to truly feel the loss. We see a single, sweet scene of Lucas and Emma together, followed by brief appearances of her before her death. While the actress has natural charm, she’s limited by the character’s lack of depth. The use of the “dead wife” trope – flashbacks showing happy moments presented as a montage of disconnected, overly cheerful scenes – feels unintentionally silly, like a commercial rather than a genuine emotional portrayal.

While Magnussen has been acting for two decades, most people probably recognize him from his comedic roles in Disney films like Aladdin and Lilo & Stitch. He delivers a strong performance in Violent Ends, noticeably transforming his look with longer hair and a beard, and showcasing a different side than his usual characters. Powell made excellent casting decisions, particularly with Nick Stahl as Lucas’ brother, Tuck, who is known for being the more troubled sibling. Stahl has always been a gifted actor, and it’s great to see him return to the screen. In this film, he portrays Tuck with a sense of quiet weariness.


Independent Film Company

The movie relies too heavily on its actors to carry the story, and this is especially true for the villain, Sid (James Badge Dale). Dale is a strong performer, but he’s hampered by some silly choices, starting with a truly awful haircut – it’s distractingly bad, like a botched attempt at the Moe Howard look. It’s odd that no one in the film ever comments on it. Furthermore, Sid’s villainy is overdone and obvious; there’s a scene where he aggressively eats shredded meat, complete with loud chewing sounds. Despite all this, Dale brings enough charisma to the role to make Sid a somewhat compelling villain.

Director Powell seems to have aimed for an epic, dramatic feel, starting with a lot of detailed background information about three brothers who fought each other in the 1980s over control of the local drug trade. However, much of this detail isn’t really needed, as the movie actually centers on one of their sons. The idea of a long-standing, violent feud within this family is interesting, but the film only briefly touches on it.


Independent Film Company 

One of the most interesting characters in the story is Darlene, the mother of Lucas and Tuck, played brilliantly by Kate Burton. It’s ironic that she’s a police officer, considering almost her entire family is involved in criminal activity. Darlene has a significant amount of screen time, and Burton makes her a compelling character as she pursues her investigation with determination. However, the story never delves into fascinating questions her presence raises: How did someone with her strong moral compass and profession become connected to the notorious Frost family? How was she able to maintain her career as a police officer given her family’s activities? And what are her current relationships with other family members besides her sons? These aspects of her story remain unexplored.

Filmmaker Powell, who grew up in Arkansas, brings a realistic feel to the setting of Violent Ends, filming in actual locations around the state. The movie has a few genuinely tense scenes, including some well-executed gunfights that feel grounded and avoid being overly dramatic. However, the film ultimately feels derivative of other, stronger works in the genre, rather than offering a fresh perspective. The ending tries to portray the film as a tragedy, but instead highlights how emotionally empty the revenge story feels. It might have been more successful if it had embraced a more stylish and sensational approach, since it doesn’t quite succeed at creating genuine emotional depth.

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2025-10-30 17:47