Desperation Road

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2:30

Desperation Road

R

2023

1h 52m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

Leslie Felperin

Guardian

11/14/2023

2/5

The whole farrago is based on a novel by Michael Farris Smith, who is also a producer which may explain why the script keeps digressing to introduce more badly drawn secondary characters.

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

10/25/2023

3 stars

It's a solid thriller about redemption and forgiveness.

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Tatiana Hullender

Screen Rant

10/18/2023

2.5/5

Despite a screenplay penned by the author of its source material, Desperation Road never quite reaches the heights of Michael Farris Smith's novel.

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Tyler Treese

ComingSoon.net

10/18/2023

7/10

Desperation Road does a great job of condensing the novel it is based on into a meaningful film that clocks in under two hours.

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Chris Gelderd

Flickering Myth

10/18/2023

An adaptation that seems to care for the material it’s based on and looks great on screen with a talented cast and crew bringing it to life.

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Alan Ng

Film Threat

10/16/2023

8/10

Desperation Road is plain and simple good storytelling, and a solid film from start to finish.

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Jamie S

@Jamiexx May 3

This is what I would call a hidden gem it was so good and had me hooked the entire time. I highly recommend giving it a watch! The actors are phenomenal and the stories of each character are relatable. I will 100% be watching this again, multiple times

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Don S

@RT62620309 Apr 18

What a profound study in true despair and desperation. You felt the angst and fear throughout the movie. The cast was perfect !!!! Highly recommend!

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michele y

@Micky947 Jan 5

A thoughtful , gentle moving story , good character development . Loved the vibe and great acting of main character

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j m

@RT83505389 Aug 20

A visually impressive movie with some incredible performances, doomed from the start by an asinine story, poorly adapted for screen. I've never appreciated the craft of cinema so much while being so bored and frustrated by the events I'm witnessing.

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Frans B

@FransB 04/30/2025

Really massive black hole in the plot, BUT, the whole cast is convincing in character, the action and general storyline will keep you occupied. It manages to create a rugged, no-nonsense ambiance suited for revenge genre.

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Daniel H

@nihilhonestum 01/24/2025

With a plot hole so big you could drive the truck that killed her partner through it. It is absolutely absurd that she doesn’t recognise the person that was put in jail for driving a truck into her partner and killing him and she was present at. Totally stupid. Why a film would get made with such a preposterous plot hole beggars belief.

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Nadine Crocker

Director

Garrett Hedlund

Russell

Willa Fitzgerald

Actor

Mel Gibson

Actor

Ryan Hurst

Actor

Woody McClain

Actor

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Desperation Road: Trailer 1

2:30

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Synopsis

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

Director: Nadine Crocker
Producer: Cassian Elwes, Nadine Crocker, Michael Farris Smith, Walter Josten, Paul Robarts
Screenwriter: Michael Farris Smith
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Hopeful Romantix Productions, Balcony 9 Productions, Grindstone Entertainment Group, Capstone Studios, Signature Entertainment, Elevated Films (II)
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Sexuality|Nudity|Sexual Assault|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2023
Runtime: 1h 52m