Blue Ruin (2013)

A mysterious outsider's quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.

Director:

Jeremy Saulnier

Writer:

Jeremy Saulnier

Stars:

Macon Blair, Devin Ratray, Amy Hargreaves

8 wins & 19 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Macon Blair	...	Dwight
Ydaiber Orozco	...	Amanda (Rental Houser Mother)
Ronald Sarcos	...	Eric (Rental House Father)
Dani Santiago	...	Daughter #1
Adrian Santiago	...	Daughter #2
George Fredericks	...	Metal Detector Couple
Elizabeth Fredericks	...	Metal Detector Couple
Sidné Anderson	...	Officer Eddy
Brooke Bennett	...	Smoking Girl
Ellen Danaher	...	Pawn Shop Clerk
Katie Kramer	...	Supermarket Cashier
Shelley Illmensee	...	SUV Driver
Kevin Kolack	...	Teddy Cleland
Stacy Rock	...	Hope Cleland (Cousin)
Eve Plumb	...	Kris Cleland (Sister)

Storyline

A mysterious outsider's quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.

---

Plot Keywords:

vengeance | neo noir | vigilante | written by director | crossbow | 

---

Taglines:

Revenge comes home

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Untitled Revenge Project

Filming Locations:

Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,066,167 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$32,608, 27 April 2014, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$258,113, 22 June 2014

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Lab of Madness, Film Science, Neighborhood Watch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many scenes contains the color blue.

---

Goofs

When Dwight's friend shoots Wade's brother if front of Dwight, you hear the gunshot then a few seconds later, the bullet makes impact. This is backwards. Bullets travel faster than sound.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Officer Eddy: [wakes Dwight by knocking softly on his car door] Get ready. I'd like you to come into the station.
Dwight: I... Is it about the house. 'Cuz I could...
Officer Eddy: Dwight, sweetheart, I'll explain. Okay? Just come with me.

---

Connections

Referenced in Half in the Bag: 2017 Movie Catch-up: Part 1 (2018)

---

Soundtracks

Gunfighter
Written by Jimmy Deveney
Performed by Horse Opera
© J. Deveney (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Blue Ruin is a quiet film that make a loud impact.

A very tense and taught thriller that puts you along side Dwight as events unfold. I am so accustomed to the actions of characters in your typical Hollywood revenge thrillers that in my mind I was intensely screaming at Dwight's actions when IT, hit the fan. Then the realization came, this is not a film where the lead character becomes a fuel raged unstoppable hero suddenly becoming an expert on how to kill.

The quietness is very intense in this film and you focus everything on the characters. That is how good the directing and the script are, the film is not afraid of the silence. You become aware of how fast your heart is beating in the silence. The directing by Jeremy Saulnier was handled expertly and was feast for the eyes. Beautiful cinematography and his utilization of natural lighting made it easy to get lost in the film. There are scenes that will make you squirm and there are humorous tension releasing moments, that is how tight the script is you are relived that you have those moments. Everyone in this cast is on point, I did not feel one off key from any of actors. The gamut of emotions that run through Dwight's ( Macon Blair) eyes alone is worth the price of admission. There are some great actor finds and also some actor re-found here. Eve Plum as an unredeemable character in the film. Yes, that Eve Plum. Applauds to the whole cast. The score from the Blair Bros is haunting and never over powers a scene. It might sound like I am gushing over this film, but if you can talk and think about a film long after the lights come up then gush I must.

If you find this film near you, do yourself a favor and see it and be kind to your friends and bring them along. You are guaranteed a long conversation over drinks afterward. This is not your typical revenge film, yes it bleeds, but it also bleeds emotions.