Rohan Campbell may be one of the most underrated young actors in the modern horror sphere, cementing a scream king status with each new genre notch on his belt. Violence only entered my orbit when I spotted Campbell among the cast. Later this year, he has another major horror franchise release incoming with a reboot of Silent Night, Deadly Night; here, the name of the game is more indie in nature. Suffice to say, thanks to Campbell, this gem from writer/director Connor Marsden bleeds stylish visual excess, and should not be missed. Set in an alternate reality version of the 80s, the punk rock costuming and an epic throwback score from NOWHERE2RUN perfectly accentuate its ferocious atmosphere. With Campbell’s badass performance at the core, brutal gore-splattered Violence is fast-paced propulsive action horror caked in a layer of grungy grime.
Set against a neon-drenched urban landscape, Violence follows Henry (Campbell), a reformed addict drawn back into chaos when he tries to rescue his former lover, Charlotte (Sarah Grey), from the throes of her terrible addiction. Lorded over by crime boss Jimmy Jazz (Joris Jarsky), the graffiti-covered streets are flooded with a dangerous drug called “Red” that drives most of Jimmy’s incoming money. If Henry wants Charlotte back, he’ll have to prove himself worthy. A theft of a costly stash of Red somehow paints Henry as the prime suspect, making matters even more complicated. Henry’s mission unfolds over a single night in a city that feels on the verge of collapse as Jimmy gives a deadline of sundown to satisfy his egregious losses.
As Henry hunts for Charlotte, his path intersects with ruthless sibling duo Charlie (Maddie Hasson) and Bats (Tomaso Sannelli), whose chain of robberies ignites an underground revolution. The night devolves into one brutal confrontation after another; consequently, Henry faces intense bodily harm all in the name of his noble crusade. Sporting big clunky boots, a hoodie under a suave leather jacket adorned with the giants letters comprising the word FUCK, and a cobweb tattoo on his chest, Campbell’s Henry certainly looks the part of someone to be referred only by his last name: Violence. Henry’s doomed devotion makes him an antihero worth following, even as Marsden indulges in elaborate stylistic flourishes. As with Corey Cunningham before him in Halloween Ends, Henry Violence becomes another iconic character in Rohan Campbell’s ever-growing roster.
The rest of the performances are just as raw, with each member of the ensemble lovingly embracing the frequently preposterous dialogue. That very vibe forms the personality of Violence in a surprising way. This is not a typical dystopian distraction. Instead, the colorfully unique film posits itself in a place out of time, permanently tethered to a bygone era that still manages to have a bold personality all its own. Realism comes not by way of dialogue, but instead from the interplay between characters. Henry’s tragic love for Charlotte gives the movie its bruised heart—a romance crushed by addiction and corruption, twisted by the cruel hands of fate.
The violence, both literal and symbolic, is relentless, yet purposefully exaggerated, feeling closer to a comic-book nightmare. Maddie Hasson holds her own opposite Campbell’s Henry as the rebellious blonde who will do whatever it takes to ensure the rebellion. The criminal underworld angle could have used some additional texture, yet we have just enough to chew on to realize the full extent of Jimmy Jazz’s thrall over the populace. This viewer definitely appreciated the commitment to practical effects, and assured directorial choices. Hyper-stylized, Violence could be a cult classic in the making. For those drawn to bold aesthetics and cinematic creativity, Marsden’s stunning genre hybrid lives up to its name with unapologetic conviction.
Violence broke out during its world premiere at 2025’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.
