As with many of David Cronenberg's films, A History of Violence is gripping viewing from the outset and there's also a sense something unpleasant is about to unfold. The film is an adaptation of the graphic novel, A History of Violence, by John Wagner and Vince Locke, however it deviates significantly from the source material, especially in terms of the ending, which Cronenberg altered to better suit his vision. Working with screenwriter Josh Olson, Cronenberg crafted a more definitive and conclusive ending for the film compared to the more open-ended conclusion of the graphic novel. While the movie has the surface appearance of a typical thriller, it also explores deeper themes related to identity, the consequences of violence, and the impact of one's past actions. In this sense, A History of Violence subverts genre expectations, offering a deeper exploration of the characters and their motivations. The bright veneer of civilisation portrayed in the opening scenes in the fictional small town of Millbrook, Indiana, is slowly stripped away, much like the identity of Viggo Mortensen's character, Tom Stall.
At first, Tom appears to be a mild-mannered diner owner, who becomes a local hero after thwarting a robbery. However, his newfound fame resulting from his act of bravery attracts the attention of dangerous individuals from his mysterious past, notably Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris). Carl and his sidekicks are involved in organised crime in Philadelphia, and attempt to coerce Tom to return to the city with them to confront his past. As well as the main storyline, there is also a subplot involving Tom's son, Jack (Ashton Holmes), a teenager who is bullied at school and whose experience serves as a reflection of the film's broader themes of power, aggression and the consequences of violence. In a notable exchange before one of the movie's most pivotal scenes, Tom tells his son that, "In this family, we do not solve our problems by hitting people", after learning that Jack got into trouble in school for standing up to his bullies. To this, Jack replies, "No, in this family we shoot them".
Cronenberg, known for his exploration of psychological and physical transformations in his films, brought his unique style to this crime thriller. There are several moments of (relatively tame for Cronenberg) body horror, notably when we see the face of one of the dead men shot in the diner. The reveal of Carl's facial scar when he takes off his sunglasses, and the gruesome state of some of the dead sidekicks of Joey's brother, Richie (William Hurt), also point to Cronenberg's distinctive style. The director is keen to show the common heritage of all primates, in other words our own history of violence as a species. He also explores the sexual impulse, our aversion to outsiders and, most importantly, the theme of identity. From the 2000s to the present day, Cronenberg has collaborated on several other films with Mortensen, including Eastern Promises (2007), A Dangerous Method (2011) and Crimes of the Future (2022). All contain thought-provoking narratives, complex characters and an ability to subvert genre expectations.
A History of Violence received widespread critical acclaim for its screenplay, direction and performances. While it didn't win any Academy Awards, it was nominated for two Oscars: Best Supporting Actor (William Hurt) and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also part of the official selection at Cannes, but was never likely to win any prizes given its Hollywood financing, so the film inevitably got caught between the two stools of art and commerce. Mortensen's portrayal of Tom Stall rightly received acclaim, showcasing his versatility as an actor, while Maria Bello is also excellent as the frightened but resilient wife. As well as superb performances, and sublime cinematography by Peter Suschitzky, the film is also a powerful meditation on human nature, which is capable of both benevolence and violence. It's the sort of plot that would nowadays probably be better suited to TV, so it's a credit to Cronenberg that he told such a complex story with laser-like precision. In the same year as Grizzly Man, a film about the dark side of Mother Nature, it's a strange coincidence that Cronenberg would also release a classic film about the dark side of human nature.
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