A History of Violence

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