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With: Scoot McNairy, Kit Harington, Josh Lucas, Ethan Suplee, Stephen Dorff, Nora Zehetner, Amber Rose Mason
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Written by: David Ebeltoft, based on a story by Rod Blackhurst, David Ebeltoft
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Directed by: Rod Blackhurst
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MPAA Rating: R for violence, suicide, language, some sexual material/nudity and drug use
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Running Time: 101
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Date: 04/19/2024
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Tipping the Sales
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
It's stuck with an all-too-common story (and a generic title to boot), but Rod Blackhurst's thriller Blood for Dust features a selection of fine performances, and an unhurried pace that provides space for characters to breathe.
Cliff (Scoot McNairy) is a salesman, traveling the area around Montana, trying to sell defibrillators. He has a wife and sick child to support, and he's struggling. In addition, his association with a crooked company in the past has made it difficult for him to find new work. He's approached by Ricky (Kit Harington), and offered a chance to make a great deal more money selling drugs and guns.
Cliff is reluctant, but sees no other choice. Ricky takes him to see the man in charge, the sadistic John (Josh Lucas), who threatens Cliff and his family with bodily harm if he's ever double-crossed. But when Ricky veers from the plan and begins leaving a trail of dead bodies, Cliff realizes he could be next unless he comes up with a plan of his own.
The great character actor McNairy is the real secret weapon of Blood for Dust. He has an extremely likable, guy-next-door quality, but there's also a hint of mystery, so that he's capable of playing villains, or, as here, men with a dark past. Scenes are constructed not just to further the plot, but to dig into these characters. There are many conversations between Cliff and others in which we begin to understand their pasts, and how they were shaped. (Lucas is the exception, delivering a fun performance as a truly impenetrable, brutal fellow, saying things like "I don't give a f--k about your safety!")
Director Blackhurst also pays attention to the scenes of violence. They feel rough and dangerous, rather than slick and stylized. The guns make a lot of noise, and the shootouts are accompanied by confusion, and a sick feeling. Ultimately, it's the routine, largely predictable story of Blood for Dust that keeps it from being great, but the characters still make it worth seeing.
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