Sweet Virginia

Name: Sweet Virginia
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: November 17, 2017
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Cameron Hilts, Christopher Abbott, Darcy Laurie, Gary Chalk, Imogen Poots

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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Sweet Virginia

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date: November 17, 2017 | R

Starring: Cameron Hilts, Christopher Abbott, Darcy Laurie, Gary Chalk, Imogen Poots, Jared Abrahamson, Jon Bernthal, Jonathan Tucker, Joseph Lyle Taylor, Odessa Young, Rosemarie DeWitt, Therés Amee, Victoria Bidewell

Summary: In the wake of a triple murder that leaves the residents of a remote Alaskan outpost on edge, tightly wound drifter Elwood (Christopher Abbott) checks into a motel run by Sam (Jon Bernthal), a former rodeo champion whose imposing physical presence conceals a troubled soul. Bound together by their outsider status, the two men strike up anIn the wake of a triple murder that leaves the residents of a remote Alaskan outpost on edge, tightly wound drifter Elwood (Christopher Abbott) checks into a motel run by Sam (Jon Bernthal), a former rodeo champion whose imposing physical presence conceals a troubled soul. Bound together by their outsider status, the two men strike up an uneasy friendship—a dangerous association that will set off a new wave of violence and unleash Sam’s darkest demons. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Jamie M. Dagg

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

April Wolfe

Nov 16, 2017

The concepts Sweet Virginia explore through this setup — lives intersecting after a tragedy in a small town and a dangerous outsider tearing through a community — aren’t new for noir or westerns, but the understated, intense performances of Dagg’s cast make this slow burner a standout. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Apr 29, 2017

It’s this strange alchemy — the way that a terse script can leave so much unsaid, combined with such a talented ensemble’s ability to suggest all the details left either in silence or in darkness — that makes “Sweet Virginia” such a haunting character study. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Nov 16, 2017

As with most slow-burn neo-noir movies, Sweet Virginia thrives on atmosphere. It oozes it from every frame. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Apr 29, 2017

The film is gripping from start to finish, even when so much of its menace rings hollow. Read full review

Noel Murray

Nov 22, 2017

Dagg (who previously made the very good chase picture “River”) tries too hard to give the material a highbrow frame. The movie is dimly lighted and hushed to a fault. But the China brothers’ script is strong, and Dagg elicits terrific performances from Abbott, Bernthal and Poots. Read full review

The Playlist Ally Johnson

Apr 29, 2017

A movie that forgoes solid storytelling for an atmosphere that keeps you captivated, director Jamie M. Dagg has made a film that plays with genres from neo-noir to thriller to even horror. Read full review

Chuck Bowen

Nov 14, 2017

Sweet Virginia doesn’t have much of a point, as its characters are reductive variables in an inevitable equation of carnage. Read full review

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User Reviews

PeteOppel

May 4, 2018

An expertly crafted, atmospheric, noir-type thriller which is aided tremendously by an economic running time.

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risonyeong

Jul 15, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. beautifully shot movie. very subtle very quiet. a lot of nuances and character building in an effective way. the killer character was quite different in a sense he was very clean cut, almost like a bloke working in wall st. but his portrayal was very disturbing especially shooting point blank and slamming the poor woman like a rag doll.
at first we did not get the connection between the movie title and the plot. but reading in between the lines, the protagonist was from virginia, suffering from hand injury.
at the end he could hold the gun steady and shot the killer.
both the hero and his lover escaped unharmed and the 'sweet hero fr virginia' gave himself a second chance to love again in this cold far away fr his home.
quite poignant and the hunky guy made this show a 7 for me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Aproxx

Aug 5, 2018

So. They set up the characters really well. Super engaging scenes that makes you learn about all of them. They open a ton of threads about all them in subtle, natural ways, plus relationships between some of them...

And then all ends in a few sequences in a non-climax. I honestly believeSo. They set up the characters really well. Super engaging scenes that makes you learn about all of them. They open a ton of threads about all them in subtle, natural ways, plus relationships between some of them...

And then all ends in a few sequences in a non-climax. I honestly believe they thought they could film for more time in a two hour film, they were noticed that wasn't going to be the case, and rewrite the end so they could at least sell the movie.

Having said that, the acting and script of the good part (2/3) of the movie is so good that I couldn't put this movie less than a six...… Expand

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