A Most Violent Year

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A Most Violent Year

R,

2014,

2h 4m,

Crime/

Drama/

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

89%

226 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

226 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier (Oscar Isaac) tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business.

Critics Consensus

Gritty, gripping, and weighted with thought-provoking heft, A Most Violent Year represents another strong entry in writer-director J.C. Chandor's impressive filmography.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

May 30, 2016

Instead of directing a movie that screams "HEY, IT'S THE '80S," he made one that looks, sounds, and feels like a refugee from that era, and lets the audience do the rest.

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Adam Nayman

Reverse Shot

Dec 14, 2015

A Most Violent Year's final scenes are its worst: they reveal that the plot's sure-footed plodding hasn't led anywhere unexpected, narratively or thematically.

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

Oct 20, 2015

A Most Violent Year resonates as the rare film to not simply take its superficial cues from The Godfather, but to truly understand its underlying ideas -- and, more impressive still, to re-work them into something thrillingly unique.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4.5/5

There is something to be said about sitting back and watching good actors work.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 18, 2022

4/4

A Most Violent Year is a brilliant look at greed, hubris, and the effect of capitalism, and it cements Chandor as a distinctive voice in American cinema.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Aug 9, 2022

[S]et in the crime-ridden culture of early 1980s New York City (which was the most violent year on record in the city’s history), it's a smart, shadowy tribute to the crime dramas of the seventies and early eighties...

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Hermione G

Apr 11, 2019

A dark and depressing film but incredible at the same time!

Abraham S

Dec 22, 2018

In the opening credits, one of the actors' names is mis-spelled. The late David Margulies, a fine veteran character actor, is shown as David Marguiles.

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Theodore S

Dec 18, 2018

Slow and anticlimactic

Ron P

Dec 15, 2018

Compelling, intense and thought provoking. The main character has to make tough decisions about how to handle himself when corruption is running rampant around him - intriguing to see these dilemmas play out.

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Kylo R

Sep 26, 2018

A third act that is weak and feels rushed drags down an otherwise great movie with great performances.

Poe G

Sep 24, 2018

Unspectacular and realistic thriller drama about an early 80s entrepreneur and his attempt to stay above water within the law. The actors are top notch, although Chastain remains underused. Isaac carries the film with his performance, the plot does move a little slowly at times and there are merely a few adrenaline peaks. Still, overall satisfying and well done. Just don't expect to bite your nails in excitement or thrill.

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J.C. Chandor

Director

Oscar Isaac

Abel Morales

Jessica Chastain

Anna

David Oyelowo

Lawrence

Alessandro Nivola

Peter Forente

Albert Brooks

Andrew Walsh

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Synopsis

In 1981 New York, a fuel supplier (Oscar Isaac) tries to adhere to his own moral compass amid the rampant violence, corruption and decay that threaten his family and his business.

Director: J.C. Chandor
Producer: Neal Dodson, Anna Gerb, J.C. Chandor
Screenwriter: J.C. Chandor
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Washingston Square Films, Old Bull Pictures, Before the Door
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.7M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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