Watch Sweet Virginia

Sweet Virginia is a 2017 crime drama directed by Jamie M. Dagg and written by Benjamin China and Paul China. The movie stars Jon Bernthal as Sam, a former rodeo champion turned motel owner in a small Alaskan town. The town's quiet life is disrupted when a trio of violent criminals headed by Elwood (Christopher Abbott) come to town, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Imogen Poots also stars as Lila, a woman who becomes the center of attention for both Sam and Elwood.

The movie opens with a chilling sequence in which three men in ski masks, including Elwood, brutally murder three people in a remote farmhouse, setting the stage for the darkness that is to come. The trio then drives to the small town of Alaska, where they check into Sam's motel, looking for a place to lay low. Sam is initially friendly with the men, unknowing of their violent past.

However, when the trio's criminal activities come to light, Sam finds himself in the middle of a dangerous situation, as he must protect himself, his loved ones, and the community from them. This puts him on a direct collision course with Elwood, who is a volatile and unpredictable person with a real taste for violence.

The movie explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the consequences of our past actions. Sam is a man with a troubled past, and while he has tried his best to start afresh, his past keeps coming back to haunt him. Similarly, Elwood and his accomplices are people who have only known violence, and this has warped their perception of the world.

At its core, Sweet Virginia is a character-driven movie, and the main characters are all expertly portrayed by the talented cast. Jon Bernthal gives a standout performance as Sam, the stoic and tough motel owner, who must face his past demons to protect his loved ones.

Christopher Abbott is equally impressive as Elwood, the sinister and unpredictable villain who is both menacing and sympathetic at the same time. He is a character that you love to hate, but also can't help but feel sorry for.

Imogen Poots is also a standout as Lila, the woman who comes to town to seek a fresh start, but gets caught up in the drama between Sam and Elwood. She brings a sense of vulnerability and heart to the movie and is a great foil for both Bernthal and Abbott.

The movie's pacing is deliberate, and the tension is slowly built up throughout the movie, culminating in a thrilling final act that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The cinematography and sound design are also top-notch, adding to the overall mood and atmosphere of the film.

Overall, Sweet Virginia is a well-crafted crime drama that explores complex characters and themes. It's not a movie for everyone as it is quite dark and violent, but for fans of the genre, it's a must-watch.

Sweet Virginia is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 72.