The Standoff at Sparrow Creek

... an efficient, mechanical five-finger exercise written and directed by Henry Dunham.

It's an effective little thriller whose occasional flaws come mostly as a result of its considerable virtues, so you roll with it.

What makes The Standoff at Sparrow Creek special is how much it reminds you of stories of alpha males like Reservoir Dogs, The Thing, and Mamet's work without ever feeling wholly derivative.

There is a timely element to "Sparrow Creek" that speaks to our current moment and mood in this country, but the simple, effective nature of Dunham's sharp storytelling makes him a talent to watch going forward.

There's nothing new in The Standoff at Sparrow Creek except the title.

The gaps in logic might be easier to forgive if the movie's real-world resonances weren't so troubling.

A tense thriller that maximizes its low budget.

A taut and effective single-location thriller, Standoff's pulp dialogue and airtight pacing make it one of 2019's first great surprises.

Standoff is a testament to the power of tight writing and solid, nuanced acting.

Left-wing or right-wing, I can't imagine people getting too angry over this one. The Standoff at Sparrow Creek is a great little thriller, and I recommend watching it.