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With the fire of a classic Greek tragedy, but with an attune eye for the real world, Jeff Nichols’ debut feature is a rare film that keeps you guessing and marveling from beginning to end. Great drama can move you to the edge of your seat just like a thriller and SHOTGUN STORIES does just that. The brother-against-brother feud at the center allows us to see the nature of its characters, while giving us a peek into their dark pasts and hopefully a potential future better than the current state they are in.

Sonny Hayes (Michael Shannon, WORLD TRADE CENTER) has a quiet emotionless demeanor even when he is about to beat someone. He sees things in his life very clearly and matter-of-fact, sometimes to a fault, putting up blinders to the harm he may be causing. His wife Annie (Glenda Pannell, JUST THE TWO OF US) has moved out with his young son, Carter (Cole Hendrixson), because he lost $200 gambling again. To him it’s not gambling, because he has a system. This allows Sonny to invite his younger brothers to move back in with him. The youngest Kid (Barlow Jacobs, GREAT WORLD OF SOUND) has been living in a tent in Sonny’s backyard, while Boy (Douglas Ligon, film debut) literally lives in a van down by the river.

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