Watch The Shadow of Violence

In the rural Irish town of Clonmel, Douglas "Arm" Armstrong (Cosmo Jarvis) is a former enforcer for the town's drug lord and a family man trying to leave his criminal past behind. However, when his employer, Paudi (Ned Dennehy), asks him to commit a brutal act of violence, Arm is forced to reconcile his desire for a peaceful life with his loyalty to Paudi and the expectations of those around him.

As Arm struggles to cope with the consequences of his actions, he finds himself caught between the violent world he is trying to escape and the promise of a better future with his girlfriend Ursula (Niamh Algar) and young son Jack (Kiljan Moroney). Meanwhile, his best friend and former partner in crime, Dymphna (Barry Keoghan), becomes increasingly resentful of Arm's attempts to leave their criminal past behind and seeks to undermine his efforts at every turn.

With the police closing in and Paudi growing more desperate, Arm must use all of his wits and strength to protect those he loves and carve out a new life for himself in a world that seems intent on pulling him back into the darkness.

The Shadow of Violence is a gripping and tense crime drama that explores themes of loyalty, family, and the consequences of violence. The film is anchored by a powerhouse performance from Cosmo Jarvis, who imbues Arm with a complex mix of vulnerability, stoicism, and latent rage. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Barry Keoghan offering a particularly compelling turn as the enigmatic and unpredictable Dymphna.

Director Nick Rowland brings a gritty and realistic sensibility to the film, capturing the stark beauty of the Irish countryside while never shying away from the violence and brutality that permeates the story. The screenplay by Joe Murtagh is equally impressive, offering a nuanced and compelling exploration of the bonds of loyalty and the difficult choices that come with trying to break free from a life of crime.

Overall, The Shadow of Violence is a powerful and affecting film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It is a must-see for fans of crime dramas and character-driven stories, and a reminder of the perils and complexities of life on the margins.

The Shadow of Violence is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 67.