A History of Violence poster

2005·96 min·Released

A History of Violence

“Tom Stall had the perfect life...until he became a hero.”

Drama
Thriller
Crime

An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner.

7.2(3,772 votes)

Popularity5

Videos

A History of Violence (Trailer)

Cast & Crew

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen

Tom Stall / Joey Cusack

Maria Bello

Maria Bello

Edie Stall

Ed Harris

Ed Harris

Carl Fogarty

William Hurt

William Hurt

Richie Cusack

Ashton Holmes

Ashton Holmes

Jack Stall

Peter MacNeill

Peter MacNeill

Sheriff Sam Carney

Stephen McHattie

Stephen McHattie

Leland

Greg Bryk

Greg Bryk

Billy

Kyle Schmid

Kyle Schmid

Bobby

Sumela Kay

Sumela Kay

Judy Danvers

Gerry Quigley

Gerry Quigley

Mick

Deborah Drakeford

Deborah Drakeford

Charlotte

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Gimly

Written on 9/7/2018

Probably Cronenberg's most mundane work, but that's not even remotely a knock against _A History of Violence_. I hear tell that fans of the comic don't much like this big screen re-telling, but I've never read it, so I'm gonna go ahead and really enjoy it anyway. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._

CinemaSerf

Written on 3/9/2024

We start with images of two rather brutal hoodlums who have robbed and massacred the staff at a roadside motel and then sort of follow them into a town where "Tom" (Viggo Mortensen) runs the diner. They stop by one afternoon, intent on causing a bit of mayhem, only to discover that their host is a bit more capable of defending himself than they'd anticipated. Quickly "Tom" is lauded as an hero, and wife "Edie" (Maria Bello) and kids "Jack" (Ashton Holmes) and "Sarah" (Heidi Hayes) are proud to have their dad at home. What he hadn't anticipated, though, is that the publicity would attract the attention of one-eyed gangster "Fogarty" (Ed Harris) who arrives and starts calling him "Joey". Who's "Joey"? Well we quickly find out that nothing is as it seems and we gradually begin to realise that the past always has an habit of catching up with you. This is a violent film, but oddly enough I felt it rather visually tame as the pieces start to fall into place and the arrival of William Hurt signals an escalation that cleverly marries the comically menacing with the somewhat predictable conclusion. There's not a great deal of dialogue here, though not quite on the Clint Eastwood scale, and Mortensen holds it together increasingly well as we move along. It's one of the few films that I feel could have added half an hour or so, just so we get to grips a bit better with the characterisations and concomitant baggage, but as it is - it's well worth a look.

Wuchak

Written on 11/3/2025

**_When a peaceable family man is backed against a wall_** Shot in the late summer/early fall of 2004, this was described by director Cronenberg as “a meditation on the human body and its relationship to violence.” It comes in the tradition of “Straw Dogs,” addressing the same issues as “Billy Jack”; namely, absolute pacifism vs limited pacifism. The former never resorts to violence, even in the face of great evil, whereas the latter strives for peace, but turns to violence when justified. The New Testament supports limited pacifism not absolute pacifism, as some mistakenly think (see Luke 12:39, for instance). Yet there’s more going on as the film explores overcoming a troubled past for a new identity while tapping into the primal self if necessary. Viggo Mortensen is great here and he described it as “one of the best movies [he's] ever been in, if not the best.” Maria Bello is effective but lost what little curves she had and looks verging on anorexic. William Hurt shows up in the last act with a wink of amusement. There are similarities to “Killshot” with Mickey Rourke, Thomas Jane and Diane Lane, which came out three years later. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other. It runs 1 hour, 36 minutes, and was shot in the greater Toronto area with the town scenes done in Millbrook, which is an hour’s drive east of the city and a dozen miles inland from Lake Ontario. GRADE: B

Dr_Nostromo

Written on 7/5/2026

80/100 After protecting his customers by killing a couple of serial killers, the owner of a small town café is proclaimed a hero. This attracts a gangster who swears the man is a former associate and killer. Moving along at a slow and steady pace, the film does an excellent job of keeping you questioning whether he is a former assassin or simply the wrong guy. The relationships are honest, personal, and painful and the build up to the climactic end is well crafted and satisfying. Good film! -- DrNostromo.com

Media

Settling the Score

Settling the Score

I Shoulda Killed You Back in Philly

I Shoulda Killed You Back in Philly

A History of Violence (Trailer)

A History of Violence (Trailer)