Watch The Slaughter Rule

The Slaughter Rule is a 2002 independent drama film directed by the filmmaking duo, Alex and Andrew Smith. The movie is set in Montana and follows a high school senior, Roy Chutney (Ryan Gosling), who feels disconnected from his small town and doesn't know what the future holds for him after graduation. Roy finds solace in a friendship with Gideon Ferguson (David Morse), a troubled and mysterious ex-football player in his thirties who recruits Roy to be a player on his six-man football team.

The movie is about the relationship between Roy and Gideon, both of whom are looking to escape from their lives in different ways. Gideon is a loner who is dealing with his own personal demons, while Roy is struggling to find his place in the world outside of his hometown. Despite their age difference and different backgrounds, the two become fast friends, and Gideon teaches Roy the rules of six-man football, which is played with fewer players and requires players to be versatile.

As Roy gets deeper into the game, he finds himself becoming more and more involved with Gideon and his problems. Gideon is dealing with the aftermath of a brutal divorce and custody battle and is desperate to hold onto his estranged son, who lives with his ex-wife in a nearby town. Despite his best efforts, Gideon is unable to reconnect with his son and spirals into a dark depression.

Meanwhile, Roy is also struggling with personal problems. He has been hanging out with his ex-girlfriend, who is dating someone else, and he is unsure of what he wants to do after graduation. Roy is also dealing with the sudden illness of his father, who is bedridden and needs constant care. As the pressure mounts, Roy finds comfort in football and his relationship with Gideon.

The Slaughter Rule is a complex and moody film that explores themes of masculinity, friendship, and the search for identity. The film is shot in a minimalist style that perfectly captures the stark beauty of the Montana landscape, and the performances by Gosling, Morse, and DuVall are uniformly excellent. The movie is a slow burn that gradually draws the viewer into its world, and the climax is both shocking and emotionally satisfying.

Overall, The Slaughter Rule is a powerful and thought-provoking film that is well worth watching for anyone who enjoys character-driven dramas. The movie is a poignant meditation on the human condition, and it's a testament to the talent of the Smith brothers and the cast that it works so well. The Slaughter Rule is a must-see for fans of indie cinema and a testament to the power of quiet storytelling.

The Slaughter Rule is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 65.