Acts of Violence

Acts of Violence

Year: 2006

Runtime: 66 mins

Language: English

Director: Carolyn Cronenberg

Documentary

ACTS OF VIOLENCE is a documentary that dissects each violent episode in David Cronenberg’s A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. Directed by his wife, Carolyn Zeifman, married to Cronenberg for over 26 years, it offers insight into the filmmaker known for graphic violence and sexual themes. It also reveals the set atmosphere, crew loyalty and its commentary on American violence.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Acts of Violence (2006)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Acts of Violence (2006). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

Set in contemporary times, the plot relies on modern tech like smartphones, location tracking, and 911 calls to drive the pursuit. The investigation is shaped by a corrupt police department, reflecting a realistic urban crime milieu. The pace mirrors current crime dramas, grounded in a recognizably modern timeframe.

Location

Cleveland, Ohio

The story unfolds in Cleveland, a midwestern city with an industrial past and a gritty urban core. Its warehouses, dimly lit streets, and club-filled nightlife provide a backdrop for trafficking and gang violence. The urban setting contrasts the brothers' military discipline with the chaos of criminal networks.

🌆 Urban landscape 🕵️‍♂️ Crime and corruption 🗺️ Midwestern city

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:52

Main Characters – Acts of Violence (2006)

Meet the key characters of Acts of Violence (2006), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Deklan McGregor

Older brother and former U.S. Army Ranger who leads the rescue effort with disciplined, tactical precision. His past deployments haunt him and fuel a readiness to act decisively, even at high personal risk. He balances loyalty to family with the costs of vigilantism as he confronts criminals and institutional obstacles.

🪖 Veteran 💪 Protector 🔫 Tactical

Brandon McGregor

The responsible middle brother who has a family to care for, adding urgency to the rescue mission. His bravery is tempered by concern for those he loves, and his death later in the story marks a turning point that deepens the brothers' resolve. He embodies sacrifice within a protective family dynamic.

🪖 Veteran 💔 Protector 🗡️ Sacrificial

Roman McGregor

The youngest brother, recently engaged to Mia, whose celebration turns grim as the abduction unfolds. He partners with Deklan and Brandon, bringing youthful energy and a desire to protect his future wife. His choices reflect a blend of courage and impulsiveness under pressure.

🧭 Youth 💖 Loyal 🗡️ Determined

Mia

Roman’s fiancée, abducted and held by traffickers; she endures captivity and fighting spirit. Her voice message sets the brothers on the mission, and her resilience during captivity underscores the human stakes of the conflict. Her experiences drive the emotional core of the film.

💃 Survivor 🕊️ Resilient 🫶 Determined

Max Livingston

A ruthless kingpin who runs a trafficking operation, weaponizing fear and control to sustain his network. He uses intimidation and calculated violence to maintain power and evade law enforcement. His presence motivates the brothers’ relentless pursuit.

🕶️ Gangster 🗺️ Trafficker 💼 Powerful

Vince

One of Livingston’s henchmen who abducts Mia and taunts her in captivity. He embodies the brutal, opportunistic violence of the trafficking operation. His capture helps precipitate the brothers' counterattack.

🔪 Henchman 🧩 Opportunist 🥊 Violent

Frank

Another thug in Livingston’s crew who participates in the abduction and the criminal enterprise. He functions as a catalyst for the brothers’ escalation and the gang’s cruelty.

👊 Thug 🗺️ Criminal 🧨 Aggressive

Detective James Avery

A determined detective pursuing leads against Livingston while fighting a corrupt police department. His frustration with the system leads him to resign after the case sours. He represents a weary, principled line of defense against organized crime.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective 🗝️ Corruption 🛡️ Integrity

Jessa

Brandon’s wife, who is tied up during a campaign against the trafficking operation; her fate underscores the personal cost of the violence. Her death reinforces the brutal consequences of the criminal underworld.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 💔 Victim 🩹 Resilience

David Cronenberg (Self)

Cameo appearance by filmmaker David Cronenberg playing himself, included in the cast as a brief, self-referential moment. His presence adds a meta texture to the film’s contemporary crime milieu.

🎭 Cameo 🧩 Meta 🗽 Celebrity

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:52

Major Themes – Acts of Violence (2006)

Explore the central themes of Acts of Violence (2006), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🩸 Revenge

The McGregor brothers channel their military training into a personal vendetta after Mia's kidnapping. Loyalty to family pushes them to cross legal lines and pursue immediate justice. The violence escalates, testing their moral boundaries and blurring the line between heroism and vengeance. The drive for retaliation comes at a high personal cost.

⚖️ Justice vs Corruption

Detective Avery battles a corrupt system that hinders prosecution and accountability. When formal evidence fails, the brothers take matters into their own hands, exposing a trafficking network. The story questions whether vigilante actions can replace due process. It examines the tension between law enforcement limitations and street-level justice.

💔 Loss

Brandon's death and Mia's trauma highlight the personal costs of the brothers' mission. The attack on the family home shows how violence reverberates beyond the initial abduction. Grief shapes choices and deepens the focus on the price of retribution. The narrative positions loss as both catalyst and consequence.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:52

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Acts of Violence Summary

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Acts of Violence Timeline

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Acts of Violence Timeline

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