It's not unique, but as a distillation of a well-worn genre, it's admirable.
Overview
Joshua “J” is taken in by his extended family after his mother dies of an overdose. The clan, ruled by J’s scheming grandmother, is heavily involved in criminal activities, and J is soon indoctrinated into their way of life. But J is given a chance to take another path when a cop seeks to help him.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
The film establishes a menacing, unsparing mood that never wavers.
The naturalistic style Michod employs adds to the sense of dread. Is there no way out of this existence? To whom would it appeal?
Dark and mesmerizing.
It's a remarkable film: gritty, gut-churning, thrillingly acted.
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