By the Gun

By the Gun

Year: 2014

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: James Mottern

Budget: $10M

DramaThrillerCrime

Set in Boston's criminal underworld, a young and impulsive mobster’s ambition threatens to unravel a fragile peace. His reckless actions lead to escalating chaos, putting lives and the organization's stability at risk. A veteran boss attempts to maintain order and control the fallout from the volatile situation, facing increasing challenges as the young man pushes boundaries.

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Timeline & Setting – By the Gun (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of By the Gun (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film's events unfold in a contemporary setting where the mafia's influence still looms large, reflecting the ongoing struggles of organized crime in modern society. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the personal cost of ambition resonate deeply in this perilous environment.

Location

Boston

Boston serves as the backdrop for this gritty narrative of ambition and betrayal within the crime family. Known for its rich history and complex social dynamics, the city becomes a battleground for loyalty and power struggles among mobsters. The tension in the streets is palpable as characters navigate their place in the dangerous underworld.

🏙️ City ⚔️ Underworld

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

Main Characters – By the Gun (2014)

Meet the key characters of By the Gun (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nick Tortano

Nick Tortano is a young man eager to prove himself within the Boston mafia, yet he struggles with his moral compass amidst the brutality surrounding him. His ambition, paired with deep-seated loyalty, drives him to make choices that lead to his tragic downfall. As he becomes entangled in a world of violence, Nick's character evolves from naive aspirant to a man consumed by revenge.

👤 Protagonist ⚔️ Ambitious

Sal Vitaglia

Sal Vitaglia is the leader of the crime organization, embodying the complexities and ruthless decisions that come with power. Once a commanding figure, he faces challenges as he tries to maintain control amidst chaos. Sal's interactions with Nick reveal his struggle between mentorship and self-preservation, ultimately illustrating the brutal realities of mob leadership.

👤 Antagonist ⚖️ Powerful

George

George is Nick's gritty Irish friend, representing a raw and unfiltered perspective on their criminal actions. Though not part of the mafia, he influences Nick's decisions, encouraging reckless behavior that leads to dire consequences. His camaraderie with Nick highlights themes of friendship amid the dangerous landscape they navigate.

👤 Friend 😎 Gritty

Ali

Ali is Tony Matazano's estranged daughter, whose complicated relationship with Nick serves as both a source of affection and torment. Despite her initial rejection, the tension surrounding her father's dealings complicates Nick's ambitions. Ali's character embodies the personal stakes involved in the criminal world, revealing how love intertwines with betrayal.

👤 Love Interest 💔 Complicated

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

Major Themes – By the Gun (2014)

Explore the central themes of By the Gun (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

The theme of betrayal weaves throughout the narrative as Nick grapples with conflicting loyalties to his crime family and personal relationships. His tragic trajectory illustrates how trust is shattered through manipulation and self-interest, leading to devastating consequences. Ultimately, the quest for power becomes a backdrop for deep emotional loss and regret.

💰 Ambition

Ambition drives Nick's decisions, propelling him into the dark depths of the criminal underworld as he seeks status and recognition. This theme highlights the often-destructive nature of ambition, demonstrating how it leads to moral compromises and the loss of personal integrity. Nick's journey emphasizes that the price of such ambition can often outweigh the perceived rewards.

🔫 Revenge

Revenge becomes a central theme as Nick's pursuit of retribution blurs the lines between right and wrong. His transformation from a hopeful follower to a vengeful figure encapsulates the cycle of violence inherent in the mafia's world. This theme illustrates the perilous consequences of vengeance, ultimately culminating in tragedy for both Nick and those around him.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:22

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Crime Downfall Stories Similar to By the Gun

Stories that chart the inevitable and tragic collapse of an ambitious criminal.For viewers who enjoyed the tragic arc in 'By the Gun,' this collection features movies like it that explore the violent rise and devastating fall of ambitious criminals. These similar crime drama and thriller stories share a heavy emotional weight, a dark tone, and a bleak conclusion, focusing on characters whose own actions seal their fate.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a linear, cause-and-effect structure where a character's hunger for power or status within a criminal organization sets off a domino effect of violence and betrayal. The plot is driven by escalating confrontations, often culminating in the loss of loved ones and the protagonist's own demise, emphasizing the high cost of a life of crime.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on a specific character arc—the tragic downfall. They share a dark, fatalistic tone, a steady pacing that builds tension towards an inevitable conclusion, and a heavy emotional impact derived from the protagonist's repeated moral compromises and ultimate failure.

Gritty Crime World Thrillers Like By the Gun

Immerse yourself in the tense, claustrophobic pressure of organized crime.If you liked the tense, oppressive atmosphere of 'By the Gun,' this list features movies with a similar gritty underworld vibe. These crime dramas and thrillers are set in worlds of high-stakes power dynamics, where loyalty is tested and violence is always simmering beneath the surface, creating a consistently tense and immersive experience.

grittytenseoppressiveclaustrophobicangryfatalistic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often center on conflicts that threaten to erupt and destabilize a criminal organization. The narrative builds a web of alliances and betrayals, focusing on the psychological strain of living under constant threat. The pacing is steady, methodically increasing the pressure until it inevitably boils over into chaos.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together by their shared mood and world-building. They create a cohesive experience defined by a gritty aesthetic, a tense and oppressive atmosphere, high intensity, and themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the corrupting nature of power within a closed criminal society.

Unlock the Full Story of By the Gun

Don't stop at just watching — explore By the Gun 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 By the Gun is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

By the Gun Summary

Read a complete plot summary of By the Gun, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

By the Gun Summary

By the Gun Timeline

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By the Gun Timeline

By the Gun Spoiler-Free Summary

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By the Gun Spoiler-Free Summary

More About By the Gun

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about By the Gun: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About By the Gun

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Discover movies like By the Gun 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.