70
In this tense, lyrical and bone-spare slice-of-death drama by writer-director Jeff Nichols, Shannon gets a role tailored to his lanky Middle American boyishness and the demons peering from behind it.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
70
New York Magazine (Vulture) by David Edelstein
The movie makes you empathize with the rage that drives these young men to violence--but it also makes you see how manly action wipes out their individuality, their uniqueness, and turns them into archetypal meatheads.
70
Thesping is pitch-perfect across the board.
75
It's rare that a picture that deals with as much tragedy as this one also manages to convey as much warmth to its characters.
63
Features a riveting performance by Michael Shannon as oldest son Son. He's definitely an actor to watch.
75
TV Guide Magazine by Maitland McDonagh
The cast deliver consistently fine, subtle performances, underscored by Ben Nichols' mournfully melodic guitar score.
83
Well-plotted, with a strong lead performance by Michael Shannon, and a fair amount of authentic regional flavor. It isn't really meant to be a treatise on Southern life. At heart, it's a country-fried genre film, minus the peppery white gravy.
75
San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego
An austere rural landscape, festering hatred, class tensions, terse dialogue - these are common currency in indie movies these days. Shotgun Stories uses them all, but manages to stand out from the crowd.