The readiness of Warner Bros., including their subsidiary New Line Cinema, to freely grant film rights for DC Comics characters and tales to various filmmakers has sometimes had negative consequences throughout time. Yet, it’s also resulted in a diverse array of movies, given the extensive collection of properties in the DC library. The term isn’t merely Superman and Batman; it encompasses imprints that over the years have covered an assortment of publications, ranging from Impact Comics to Paradox Press to Wildstorm and numerous others.
These productions, such as Stardust, Road to Perdition, and The Kitchen, are all film adaptations based on materials from DC Comics, although they were produced under various imprint labels. Over the years, these imprints have also adapted titles from Vertigo Comics, a division that catered to more mature audiences with explicit content from 1993 to 2020. The roots of one of DC’s greatest films can be found here. A History of Violence isn’t just another remarkable collaboration between Viggo Mortensen and director David Cronenberg, but it stands as the epitome of outstanding film adaptations from DC Comics.
What is A History of Violence?
Originally, the story “A History of Violence” was a 1997 graphic novel written by John Wagner and illustrated by Vince Locke. On the big screen, it tells the tale of Tom Stall (played by Mortensen), a peaceful diner owner living in Millbrook, Indiana with his wife Edie (Maria Bello) and their children. However, after bravely defending his restaurant from two thugs, his past comes knocking. A menacing mobster named Carl Fogarty (Ed Harris) emerges, insisting that Stall is a ruthless hitman who must confront his old ways. Yet, Stall isn’t quite ready to face his troubled past head-on just yet.
Who truly is Tom Stall? Is he genuinely the loving husband and father that Edie and their children know, or is he merely a disguise to separate Stall from his violent past? The film masterfully explores the adaptability of human nature through this intriguing and heart-wrenching narrative. Josh Olson’s screenplay, combined with its compelling source material, allows Cronenberg to reinterpret familiar themes in a unique and captivating manner.
Cronenberg skillfully delivers intense, nerve-wracking action scenes that have you gripping the edge of your seat. These suspenseful moments, masterfully crafted, powerfully depict the harsh reality of violence in this world. Unlike other films, the violence in this movie is not glamorized but shown as a heavy burden. The consequences of bloodshed are evident in how gun battles and fistfights unfold within the grim setting of A History of Violence. These action-packed scenes are just as captivating as the more personal sequences that show the strain duplicity puts on Tom and Edie. In every aspect, including its excellent performances, A History of Violence is a remarkable film.
Why Isn’t A History of Violence Talked About More?
From my perspective, it’s no surprise that “A History of Violence” isn’t often brought up in conversations about DC Comics cinema. The movie doesn’t have a direct link to the DC universe, and it doesn’t typically align with people’s expectations for films based on DC comic book adaptations.
However, I find it intriguing that “A History of Violence” isn’t more frequently discussed in modern great cinema discourses. The probable reason might be its departure from the usual style (at least at first glance) of a typical Cronenberg film. More gory or horror-oriented movies like “The Fly” or “Dead Ringers” are usually the ones that get highlighted when discussing this filmmaker’s work.
Crime thrillers such as “A History of Violence” (and other notable collaborations between Cronenberg and Mortensen like “Eastern Promises”) often go unmentioned during discussions about Cronenberg’s work. This is a mid-budget film that major studios seldom produce nowadays. With few contemporary films sharing similar themes, there aren’t many triggers for people to recall “A History of Violence”. When the cinema landscape lacks mid-budget crime thrillers, it becomes easy to overlook the exceptional titles in this genre.
Issues such as a limited online following for Mortensen’s dramatic work in “A History of Violence” have kept this movie from receiving the attention it deserves in today’s world. However, its brilliance has not gone unnoticed; for instance, James Gunn, the new head of DC Studios, named it one of his favorite comic book films ever. Similarly, David F. Sandberg, director of “Shazam!”, is said to be a fan of the movie. Furthermore, “A History of Violence” continues to appear on lists of top comic book movies that don’t feature superheroes, demonstrating its unique place within the DC Comics film universe. In essence, this movie showcases the wide range of possibilities in DC Comics film adaptations.
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2025-03-11 00:12