Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sexual abuse, alcohol abuse in South-set crime drama.
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Why Age 17+?
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Desperation Road
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DESPERATION ROAD, Maben (Willa Fitzgerald) is an unhoused single mother who's trying to survive with her young daughter, Annalee (Pyper Braun). One night, Maben tries to make some money doing sex work, but a police officer catches her. He drives her to a remote location and rapes her, later calling some buddies to come join him. She finds a gun, shoots him, and flees the scene. Meanwhile, upon being released from prison, Russell (Garrett Hedlund) is met immediately by brothers Larry (Ryan Hurst) and Walt (Michael Aaron Milligan), who beat him up. It's not long before a desperate Maben randomly hijacks Russell, making him drive her out of town. But instead, he decides to help her, hiding her at his father Mitchell's (Mel Gibson) place. And then there's Russell's old pal, police officer Boyd (Woody McClain), who's trying to solve the case of the murdered cop -- plus more secrets yet to be revealed.
Is It Any Good?
What could have been another run-of-the-mill thriller is elevated by a slow, sure touch crafting the story, spending lots of time building character and establishing a sense of place. With her second feature, director Nadine Crocker gives the characters in Desperation Road plenty of space, ensuring that their motivations are based in something genuine. She also withholds crucial information until it matters, keeping things intriguing. This extends to the villainous Larry, whose sole job is to torment Russell. He gets a few moments to demonstrate that he's operating mainly out of grief, which has led him to drinking and becoming estranged from his son. Eventually, characters must make decisions based on forgiveness, and it all feels genuine. That is, until the movie goes a little too far in hammering down a pat ending that, for all its attempts at wistful poetry, feels far more calculated than the drama that came before. Nevertheless, Desperation Road gets bonus points for its smart, careful characterizations and strong storytelling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Desperation Road's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Mitchell believes everyone is entitled to forgiveness. Do you agree with him? Why, or why not?
Larry is out for revenge. What's the nature of revenge? Can it be satisfying? Why? Can it ever truly solve a problem?
How is smoking depicted? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
One character appears to be abusing alcohol. What effect does it have on him? What positive steps could he take?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 6, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : October 6, 2023
- Cast : Garrett Hedlund , Willa Fitzgerald , Mel Gibson
- Director : Nadine Crocker
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence, sexual assault, language throughout, brief sexuality and nudity
- Last updated : October 15, 2023
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