Watch The Paperboy

The Paperboy is a dramatic thriller film from 2012 that follows the story of a young man, Jack Jansen, who returns to his hometown in Florida to help his journalist brother, Ward, with a controversial case. The film is directed by Lee Daniels and stars Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, John Cusack, and Zac Efron. The setting of the film is the 1960s in the Deep South, where racial tensions are high and prejudice is prevalent. The story begins with the murder of the local sheriff in the small town of Lately, Florida. The prime suspect of this murder case is a man named Hillary Van Wetter, who is a convicted felon on death row. Ward, who reports for The Miami Times, believes that Hillary may be innocent, and he sets out to investigate the case with the help of his writing partner, Yardley Acheman. Jack, who is a former athlete with a promising future, has been living a dissolute life and is called upon by his brother to help with the investigation. Jack is initially reluctant to get involved, but he eventually agrees to help.

As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal. They encounter various characters in the town who are all connected to the case, including Anita, a woman who has been corresponding with Hillary and is convinced of his innocence, and Charlotte, a local woman who has been trying to free Hillary from prison. They also encounter the victim's widow, who is engaged in a twisted and perverse relationship with Hillary.

The plot becomes increasingly complex as Ward and Yardley dig deeper into the case. Their investigation takes them down a dangerous path, and they soon realize that their involvement in the case puts them at risk. Meanwhile, Jack falls in love with Charlotte and becomes embroiled in her dangerous schemes to free Hillary.

The Paperboy is a character-driven film with a strong ensemble cast. Matthew McConaughey delivers a nuanced performance as the conflicted and flawed Ward. Nicole Kidman, in one of her most daring roles to date, portrays the sultry and sexually charged Charlotte with equal parts vulnerability and menace. John Cusack is equally captivating as the enigmatic and possibly unhinged Hillary.

The film is visually stunning, with the Florida setting serving as an eerie backdrop to the unfolding events. The cinematography is haunting, and the use of color, especially in the nighttime scenes, adds to the film's overall unsettling atmosphere.

The Paperboy is a visceral and provocative film that explores the darker aspects of human nature. It is a study of the human psyche and its capacity for violence, lust, and self-destruction. The film's ambiguous ending leaves the viewer with more questions than answers, but ultimately it is a thought-provoking and unforgettable cinematic experience.

The Paperboy is a 2012 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 45.