The Shadow of Violence

[Cosmo Jarvis] is quietly gripping as Arm.

Despite the claustrophobic entrapment in a violent and hyper-masculine world, 'The Shadow of Violence' is an ultimately moving morality tale announcing a confident new voice in international cinema.

While Jarvis puts a memorable mug to the script's meditations, you have to squint too much to see director Rowland's signature on this broad idea of machismo.

There is just enough ambiguity onscreen, particularly during the movie's early stretch, that the narrative machinery isn't too conspicuous.

It's Jarvis whose potential star power leaps out at you.

The direction, by the novice Nick Rowland, is assured. You've seen it before. But not like this.

A pair of lead performances from young notables Cosmo Jarvis and Barry Keoghan supply the requisite energy to keep the narrative rolling through the paces.

Shakes off well-worn cliches and genre conventions and turns into a provocative, poignant character study.

The Shadow of Violence has interesting things to say about violence and, ultimately, how far you would go for your family.

By confronting its inherent moral complexity, the film develops an undercurrent of sympathy beneath the testosterone-fueled, predictably brutal surface.