I read the graphic novel over a year ago. The film version of A History of Violence has been on the list ever since. The film was solid. Different, though, in its patience and willingness to linger even further on the small town scenes instead of the Philadelphia backstory and finale.
Unlike a horror movie or other violent thriller, there are few surprises. You know what’s coming…most of the time. There is one sex scene which startled me. Never saw it coming, although it shares some of the emotion of the title.
The iconic image I mentioned when writing about the book is not in the film. Maybe that is why I was not startled, since I was waiting for that gruesome step.
Metacritic score of 81 is appropriate.