‘By Any Means’ Review: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg in a Shallow, if Occasionally Gripping, Historical Crime Thriller
Inspired by true events, the latest film by Elegance Bratton ('The Inspection') follows a Black FBI agent who must work with a mob hitman to investigate the murder of a civil rights leader in 1966 Mississippi.
"By Any Means" is a crime drama that centers around a dedicated Black FBI agent, Special Agent Wayne Strider (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who partners with an Italian-American mafia hitman, Gregory Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg), to combat the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi in 1966. Despite the film's intriguing premise and strong performances, it struggles to maintain a consistent tone throughout its runtime.
Abdul-Mateen II delivers an outstanding performance as Strider, showcasing his ability to navigate complex emotions and bring depth to his character. However, Wahlberg's portrayal of Scarpa, while intriguing, falls into a predictable archetype, leading to a somewhat underwhelming climax. Despite its uneven moments, "By Any Means" succeeds in capturing the spirit of its historical setting and features a well-structured screenplay by Sascha Penn.
Ultimately, the film serves as a solid starting point for exploring the lives of its main characters, rather than presenting a complete narrative arc in itself.
Written by urgent.news from TheWrap's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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