Informed that the man responsible for the death of his parents will soon be released from prison, Dwight (Macon Blair), a shiftless drifter with a code of moral justice, knows what he has to do. But when that code proves naïve to the fact that acts of violence rarely end there, he’s forced to protect the remaining members of his estranged family.

Jeremy Saulnier’s minimalist second feature—part unglorified revenge thriller, part contemplative meditation on the legacy of violence—was awarded the FIPRESCI prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Cannes Film Festival, 2013 (Winner: FIPRESCI Prize)
Locarno Film Festival, 2013
Toronto International Film Festival, 2013
International Film Festival Rotterdam, 2013
Sundance Film Festival, 2014

“A film of almost unbearable tension… easily the most suspenseful American film of the year.” —Gabe Toro, The Playlist

“Lean and suspenseful” —Justin Chang, Variety

“One of the year’s best American indies.” —David Ehrlich, Film.com

“Blue Ruin is distinguished by the way it allies solid storytelling to fine craftsmanship.” —Allan Hunter, Screen International