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Poster for Blue Ruin

Blue Ruin

Revenge comes home

2014 · 1h 31m · R Crime, Thriller
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier

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Overview

When the quiet life of a beach bum is upended by dreadful news, he sets off for his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. However, he proves an inept assassin and finds himself in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
96%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The world doesn't need another empty genre exercise. But as Blue Ruin reminds us, it can always use more filmmakers of Saulnier's resourcefulness, sensitivity and quiet assurance.

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Fresh

With the same brand of realist irony the Coens used to cool down Blood Simple, writer-director Jeremy Saulnier slows the genre's heartbeat to gripping effect.

Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly
Fresh

Saulnier is also a cinematographer, and he's in complete control of the film's conflation of human-scale horror and tragicomedy.

Wesley Morris, Grantland
Fresh

Blair, an unheralded actor, carries the whole picture. He's in practically every scene, and his performance is fascinating because in his eyes you can see the character struggling desperately with himself.

Soren Anderson, Seattle Times
Fresh

Saulnier makes impressive use of silence and slow camera movements, allowing the suspense to simmer until violence seems practically inevitable.

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader

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