Shotgun Stories (2007)

Most poetic thriller of the list. It’s Jeff Nichols overall, so you shouldn’t expect a traditional thriller here anyway. Nichols had been one of the most interesting independent filmmakers of modern cinema. His films have a lot of soul and emotion, and he builds tension through a slow-burn narrative and richly drawn characters. Another great thing about him is that he always gives Michael Shannon great roles, and no matter how small or big, he always delivers.

One could argue that Jeff’s “Take Shelter” was even more important than “Revolutionary Road” at establishing Shannon as one of the finest actors of our time in the eyes of the public. Here, he’s brilliant once again. He plays Son Hayes, the eldest of three brothers who harbor deep resentment toward their estranged father. When their father dies and his “new family” holds a public funeral, the Hayes brothers crash the event, sparking a violent feud between the two sides of the family.

Jeff Nichols says, “I come from a family of three brothers, and that relationship was something that I understood really well. I thought about if something tragic or violent were to happen to one of my brothers, just whatever the feeling is in your gut. At the emotional heart of the film was that feeling, and I held onto that through everything else.” And indeed, it is a powerful meditation on conflict and conflict resolution. Almost plays like a Greek tragedy. His directing is minimalist but also powerful; he uses the locations really well and lets the story and characters breathe.

The cinematography is incredible as well; it’s very impressive that this was Jeff Nichols’ feature film debut. The film explores the cyclical nature of violence, showing how generational wounds and unresolved grievances can escalate into tragedy. If you’re looking for a thriller with more emotional depth and more complex characters with a devastating plot, then this is the film for you.