Blue Ruin (2013)

“Were you coming for me, or for her??!”

Before Jeremy Saulnier and Macon Blair made Green Room (one of the most visceral horror movies of the last decade), they made Blue Ruin, a sleek, minimalist revenge story that flips the genre on its head. The two friends made a movie years earlier, but the process left them frustrated and the reviews were disappointing. Saulnier, who was working as a cinematographer, decided to make something that he could shoot himself, with Blair showcasing his talent as an actor in the lead role. Financed using their own savings and some kickstarter funds, the movie eventually turned a profit thanks to raving word of mouth reviews.

I love how this story is not about getting revenge, so much as about what happens after the revenge has occurred. Blair’s performance as Dwight, a quiet, unassuming man whose life was shattered by violence, is what grounds this story. Most of the time he’s on screen by himself, and there’s very little dialogue, but every moment is compelling. It’s painful because of how easy it is to empathize with him as he commits his own unforgivable acts, perpetuating a cycle of neverending violence.

The film looks absolutely stunning. The camera lingers just enough to set the mood without ever losing sight of the storyline. The quietness forces me to lean in, and I often catch myself holding my breath. There are no villainous monologues, no evil kingpins, no big needle drops to make the violence look cool. Just a lot of pain over not much of anything in a small american town.
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