Desperation Road

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2:30

Desperation Road

R

2023

1h 52m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Nov 14, 2023

2/5

The whole farrago is based on a novel by Michael Farris Smith, who is also a producer which may explain why the script keeps digressing to introduce more badly drawn secondary characters.

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Linda Cook

OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

Oct 25, 2023

3 stars

It's a solid thriller about redemption and forgiveness.

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Tatiana Hullender

Screen Rant

Oct 18, 2023

2.5/5

Despite a screenplay penned by the author of its source material, Desperation Road never quite reaches the heights of Michael Farris Smith's novel.

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Tyler Treese

ComingSoon.net

Oct 18, 2023

7/10

Desperation Road does a great job of condensing the novel it is based on into a meaningful film that clocks in under two hours.

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Chris Gelderd

Flickering Myth

Oct 18, 2023

An adaptation that seems to care for the material it’s based on and looks great on screen with a talented cast and crew bringing it to life.

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Alan Ng

Film Threat

Oct 16, 2023

8/10

Desperation Road is plain and simple good storytelling, and a solid film from start to finish.

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Marc K

@cinemane Jun 27, 2026

Powerful acting that drives deep into the heart of our humanity.

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Jamie S

@Jamiexx May 3, 2026

This is what I would call a hidden gem it was so good and had me hooked the entire time. I highly recommend giving it a watch! The actors are phenomenal and the stories of each character are relatable. I will 100% be watching this again, multiple times

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Don S

@RT62620309 Apr 18, 2026

What a profound study in true despair and desperation. You felt the angst and fear throughout the movie. The cast was perfect !!!! Highly recommend!

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michele y

@Micky947 Jan 5, 2026

A thoughtful , gentle moving story , good character development . Loved the vibe and great acting of main character

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j m

@RT83505389 Aug 20, 2025

A visually impressive movie with some incredible performances, doomed from the start by an asinine story, poorly adapted for screen. I've never appreciated the craft of cinema so much while being so bored and frustrated by the events I'm witnessing.

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Frans B

@FransB Apr 30, 2025

Really massive black hole in the plot, BUT, the whole cast is convincing in character, the action and general storyline will keep you occupied. It manages to create a rugged, no-nonsense ambiance suited for revenge genre.

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Nadine Crocker

Director

Garrett Hedlund

Russell

Willa Fitzgerald

Actor

Mel Gibson

Actor

Ryan Hurst

Actor

Woody McClain

Actor

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Synopsis

In a small Mississippi town, justice and the law are two very different things. Academy Award Winner Mel Gibson (Braveheart), Garret Hedlund (TRON: Legacy), and Willa Fitzgerald (Scream: The TV Series) star in a modern noir thriller based on the acclaimed novel by Michael Farris Smith about two lost souls tortured by the mistakes of their past and bound by a secret that keeps them running.

Director: Nadine Crocker
Producer: Cassian Elwes, Nadine Crocker, Michael Farris Smith, Walter Josten, Paul Robarts
Screenwriter: Michael Farris Smith
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Hopeful Romantix Productions, Balcony 9 Productions, Grindstone Entertainment Group, Capstone Studios, Signature Entertainment, Elevated Films (II)
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Brief Sexuality|Nudity|Sexual Assault|Some Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 6, 2023
Runtime: 1h 52m

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