The name’s Violence. Henry Violence. In a dystopian world of violent street punks and bloodthirsty gangs, Rohan Campbell (Halloween Ends; The Monkey; Silent Night, Deadly Night) plays the titular antihero, adding another feather to the actor’s already impressive cap. Campbell’s one of the most exciting faces working in horror today, and Violence is just as unpredictable as his previous work.
Don’t let the name fool you though, there’s a boyish vulnerability to his Henry Violence, and the film has no compunction about holding his feet (quite literally) over the coals. Violence is a man with a dark past who left the criminal underworld in an attempt to get clean, returning to the city for his former lover, Charlotte (Sarah Grey). He’s keen to extricate her from this world, even if she’s not so enamoured with his new outlook on life. He’s ‘straight edge’ now, and if ever you forget, the screenplay by Devin Myler and William Woods will remind you every five minutes.
Violence has a compelling antihero and a vividly drawn world, reminiscent of The Warriors, Robocop and Hobo with a Shotgun in its punk attitude. Like the best of them, Violence comes with an attempt on social commentary too – in this case, a message about the useful application of violence in revolution. It’s a timely message, given the state of our own world, and one which director Connor Marsden commits to without hesitation. Suitably enough, given the film’s title, it’s full of outbursts of gore and brutality, just like the gritty exploitation movies it was inspired by. The visuals remain creative throughout – even invoking the 2002 film Irreversible in one memorable (but thankfully not nearly as horrible) alleyway sequence.
Letting the side down somewhat is the clunky pacing, which betrays Violence as Marsden’s feature debut. Campbell is a powerful lead, but he’s let down by some of the weaker supporting performances and lack of focus distract from what should have been his film. Instead, it trips up over its many moving parts, heading into a calamitous finale.
Violence is a brave throwback to the urban thriller movie, with a commanding leading performance from its star. Its impressive worldbuilding may be muddied thanks to its unfocused approach, but it packs a punch regardless.
VIOLENCE premiered at FrightFest Glasgow on March 7, 2026.
