A Most Violent Year
2014 · Movie · R · 125 min · ★ 6.6 · 84% critics
In New York City’s brutal winter of 1981, an immigrant entrepreneur and their family push to grow a heating-oil business. As hijackings, intimidation, and official pressure close in, staying “clean” becomes harder, and every decision risks pulling them deeper into the city’s violence and corruption.
Also known as L'année de toutes les violences · Most Violent Year, A
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max and Cinemax.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2014
- Release date
- 2014-12-31
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Critic score
- 84/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.6/10 (1,543 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a grounded, tension-heavy crime drama about ambition and ethics under pressure, closer to The Long Good Friday than Gangs of London; Not for you if you need fast pacing and constant action.
Pros: tense slow-burn stakes; strong lead performances; authentic 80s atmosphere | Cons: very little action; pacing feels sluggish; story can feel thin
Themes
- new york city
- immigrant
- husband wife relationship
- corruption
- capitalism
- winter
- american dream
- business ethics
- truck
- oil
- lawyer
- loan shark
- +5 more
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Cast & crew
Oscar Isaac
as Abel Morales
Jessica Chastain
as Anna Morales
David Oyelowo
as D.A. Lawrence
Alessandro Nivola
as Peter Forente
Elyes Gabel
as Julian
Albert Brooks
as Andrew Walsh
Catalina Sandino Moreno
as Luisa
Peter Gerety
as Bill O'Leary
Christopher Abbott
as Louis Servidio
Glenn Fleshler
as Arnold Kline
Directed by J.C. Chandor