This 20-Year-Old Action Thriller Proves David Cronenberg & Viggo Mortensen Make a Perfect Duo

When we hear the name David Cronenberg, we picture mad scientists, grotesque mutations, and body horror at its finest.

However, in the mid-2000s, the Canadian director took an unexpected turn by making a film that replaced monsters with a model family man harboring a deeply buried urge for violence.

A History of Violence is a tense thriller that earned two Oscar nominations, captivated audiences at Cannes, and is arguably the best movie of Cronenberg's later career.

What Is 'A History of Violence' About?

Tom Stall leads a happy, quiet life with his wife and two children in Indiana. He owns a small diner, has never had trouble with the law, and no one sees him as a fighter.

One night, however, that idyll is shattered when Tom kills two traveling criminals with astonishing ease while trying to stop a robbery at his diner and save his customers.

News of the incident spreads, and Tom becomes a national hero. Yet he is far from pleased with the fame – he simply wants to return to his quiet life. Soon, dangerous men arrive and claim that he isn't Tom, but Joey, a hitman and the brother of a Philadelphia mob boss.

'A History of Violence' Is the Most Compelling Cinematic Exploration of the Nature of Evil

The movie's title perfectly captures its essence. What initially appears to be a cliched plot about the dark past transforms into a nuanced exploration of the nature of violence. Cronenberg offers a striking deconstruction of genre tropes and arguably provides the most precise statement on the cycle of violence.

Cronenberg offers a distinctive interpretation of the superhero archetype, viewed through the lens of an uncompromising director who relishes dissecting human pathologies.

A History of Violence emerges as a modern successor to A Clockwork Orange, centering on the question of the nature and proliferation of violence. Can a man escape his past when his hands are stained with blood up to the elbows?

'A History of Violence' Relies on Brilliant Performances – And Not Just by Viggo Mortensen

A History of Violence would not have been possible without Viggo Mortensen, who showcases his immense acting range in this role. He is equally convincing as a small-town everyman, far removed from any sort of heroism, and as a cold-blooded killer with a mad glint in his eyes.

Watching Tom, torn between these two identities and unable to reconcile the diametrically opposed personas thrust upon him by life, is even more compelling than the occasional bloody action sequences.

Mortensen's transformation happens right before our eyes – his gait, gaze, and even the timbre of his voice shift depending on whether Tom or Joey is standing before us.

Ed Harris is equally flawless as the antagonist. His portrayal of Carl Fogarty is that of a near-obsessive stalker who believes he is helping a friend rediscover his true self.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'A History of Violence'?

• A History of Violence has 88% from critics and 76% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.4/10.

• On Letterboxd, A History of Violence scored 3.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'A History of Violence'?

A History of Violence is available to buy or rent on Prime Video and Apple TV.