Year: 2005
Runtime: 96 min
Language: English
Director: David Cronenberg
A seemingly ordinary man living a quiet life as a diner owner finds his peaceful existence threatened when a visitor reveals a hidden past he desperately tried to escape. As his dark secrets resurface, his family is drawn into a dangerous situation, forcing him to confront a violent history and question everything he thought he knew about himself. The truth unravels, revealing a complex web of deception and testing the bonds of loyalty.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen A History of Violence yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of A History of Violence (2005), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Billy Orser, portrayed by Greg Bryk, is a merciless mob killer collaborating with Leland Jones (Stephen McHattie). The duo coldly murders the staff of a motel, and in a shocking act, Billy shoots a young girl who witnesses their heinous crime.
In stark contrast, we find Tom Stall, played by Viggo Mortensen, a restaurant owner leading a blissful life in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana. He cherishes his loving wife, Edie, as well as their son Jack (Ashton Holmes) and daughter Sarah (Heidi Hayes). Tom is a well-respected figure in their community, and everything appears perfect—until fate intervenes.
Jack faces challenges at school, enduring bullying from punks Bobby (Kyle Schmid) and Buddy (Morgan Kelly). Despite temptation, Jack opts for peace over violence, showing maturity beyond his years. Meanwhile, Tom and Edie’s relationship thrives, their romance nurtured by intimate moments whenever possible.
Their peaceful existence shatters one fateful night when Billy and Leland attempt to rob Tom’s restaurant. In a gripping confrontation, Tom’s courage shines through as he eliminates the threat, killing both robbers despite sustaining an injury himself. His heroic deeds catapult him into the limelight, with media coverage flooding in and turning him into an overnight celebrity. After a brief hospital stay, he returns home, welcomed as a hero, though the intrusion of fame begins to weigh heavily on him.
Chaos enters when Carl Fogarty, portrayed by Ed Harris, a menacing gangster, confronts Tom, claiming he is actually Joey Cusack, a figure from the Irish Mob in Philadelphia. Tom vehemently denies this assertion, maintaining he has no connection to that life. Yet, Carl’s relentless harassment puts immense pressure on Tom and his family.
Local Sheriff Sam informs Tom and Edie that Carl and his associates are linked to organized crime and suspected murders. Even though there’s no official evidence tying Tom to the witness protection program, tensions rise within the home as Tom’s life is slowly unraveled by Carl’s intimidation.
Tom’s family dynamic begins to suffer. Edie and Sarah’s outing to a mall leads to a frightening confrontation with Carl, who drops cryptic threats against Tom. Meanwhile, Jack grapples with his own internal struggles regarding violence, escalating to a violent encounter at school. An altercation with Tom forces a rift between father and son when Jack feels extreme frustration, eventually leading Jack to take daring action against Carl’s henchmen when they kidnap him.
The climax arises in a fierce showdown at the Stall residence, as Tom employs the same lethal precision against Carl’s men that he utilized against the robbers, culminating in Jack rescuing his father by killing Fogarty in a moment of bravery.
However, the confrontations do not end there. In a heart-wrenching scene at the hospital, Edie confronts Tom, claiming she witnessed a side of him that struck her as the “real” Joey. Shockingly, Tom admits his dark past, confessing that he had indeed murdered for both profit and excitement, desperately trying to reform himself and become “Tom Stall”.
After his recovery, Sheriff Sam attempts to discern the truth behind Tom’s identity, but Edie fiercely defends him, leading to a dramatic climax in their relationship filled with violent passion and subsequent alienation. A call from Tom’s brother, Richie Cusack (William Hurt), propels Tom back to Philadelphia, where he discovers the undercurrents of a revenge-fueled power struggle within the mob, ultimately culminating in a violent confrontation against Richie.
Tom returns to a strained family setting, where the shadow of his past looms large. As they sit around the dinner table, the atmosphere is steeped in tension, yet subtle gestures between Tom, Jack, and Sarah hint at a fragile path towards understanding and acceptance.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 19:54
Don't stop at just watching — explore A History of Violence in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A History of Violence is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of A History of Violence with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like A History of Violence that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
A History of Violence (2005) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
A History of Violence (2005) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like A History of Violence – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
A Vigilante (2019) Story Summary & Characters
American Violence (2017) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Acts of Violence (2018) Detailed Story Recap
The Virtuoso (2021) Full Movie Breakdown
A Proper Violence (2011) Film Overview & Timeline
The Violence Action (2022) Full Summary & Key Details
Art History (2011) Full Movie Breakdown
The Evil That Men Do (1984) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Trouble Every Day (2001) Complete Plot Breakdown
A Violent Separation (2019) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Sade (2002) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
The American (2010) Complete Plot Breakdown
Discreet (2018) Detailed Story Recap
The Woman (2011) Story Summary & Characters
Strangers (2024) Detailed Story Recap