Logo What's After the Movie

A History of Violence 2005

A seemingly ordinary man living a quiet life as a diner owner finds his peaceful existence threatened when a visitor reveals a hidden past he desperately tried to escape. As his dark secrets resurface, his family is drawn into a dangerous situation, forcing him to confront a violent history and question everything he thought he knew about himself. The truth unravels, revealing a complex web of deception and testing the bonds of loyalty.

A seemingly ordinary man living a quiet life as a diner owner finds his peaceful existence threatened when a visitor reveals a hidden past he desperately tried to escape. As his dark secrets resurface, his family is drawn into a dangerous situation, forcing him to confront a violent history and question everything he thought he knew about himself. The truth unravels, revealing a complex web of deception and testing the bonds of loyalty.

Does A History of Violence have end credit scenes?

No!

A History of Violence does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of A History of Violence

Explore the complete cast of A History of Violence, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for A History of Violence

See how A History of Violence is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where A History of Violence stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

82

Metascore

7.5

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

88%

TOMATOMETER

review

76%

User Score

IMDb

7.4 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

72

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate A History of Violence Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of A History of Violence with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


A History of Violence Quiz: Test your knowledge about the thrilling narrative of 'A History of Violence' and its complex characters.

What is Tom Stall's alias throughout the movie?

Awards & Nominations for A History of Violence

Explore awards

Discover all the awards and nominations received by A History of Violence, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how A History of Violence and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


78th Academy Awards 2006

William Hurt
Nomination

Actor in a Supporting Role

William Hurt
Nomination

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

59th British Academy Film Awards 2006

Nomination

Best Adapted Screenplay

11th Critics' Choice Awards 2006

Maria Bello
Nomination

Best Supporting Actress

Maria Bello

63rd Golden Globe Awards 2006

Nomination

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress)

32nd Saturn Awards 2006

Nomination

Best Supporting Actor

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for A History of Violence

See more

Read the complete plot summary of A History of Violence, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Billy Orser, portrayed by Greg Bryk, is a merciless mob killer collaborating with Leland Jones (Stephen McHattie). The duo coldly murders the staff of a motel, and in a shocking act, Billy shoots a young girl who witnesses their heinous crime.

In stark contrast, we find Tom Stall, played by Viggo Mortensen, a restaurant owner leading a blissful life in the small town of Millbrook, Indiana. He cherishes his loving wife, Edie, as well as their son Jack (Ashton Holmes) and daughter Sarah (Heidi Hayes). Tom is a well-respected figure in their community, and everything appears perfect—until fate intervenes.

Jack faces challenges at school, enduring bullying from punks Bobby (Kyle Schmid) and Buddy (Morgan Kelly). Despite temptation, Jack opts for peace over violence, showing maturity beyond his years. Meanwhile, Tom and Edie’s relationship thrives, their romance nurtured by intimate moments whenever possible.

Their peaceful existence shatters one fateful night when Billy and Leland attempt to rob Tom’s restaurant. In a gripping confrontation, Tom’s courage shines through as he eliminates the threat, killing both robbers despite sustaining an injury himself. His heroic deeds catapult him into the limelight, with media coverage flooding in and turning him into an overnight celebrity. After a brief hospital stay, he returns home, welcomed as a hero, though the intrusion of fame begins to weigh heavily on him.

Chaos enters when Carl Fogarty, portrayed by Ed Harris, a menacing gangster, confronts Tom, claiming he is actually Joey Cusack, a figure from the Irish Mob in Philadelphia. Tom vehemently denies this assertion, maintaining he has no connection to that life. Yet, Carl’s relentless harassment puts immense pressure on Tom and his family.

Local Sheriff Sam informs Tom and Edie that Carl and his associates are linked to organized crime and suspected murders. Even though there’s no official evidence tying Tom to the witness protection program, tensions rise within the home as Tom’s life is slowly unraveled by Carl’s intimidation.

Tom’s family dynamic begins to suffer. Edie and Sarah’s outing to a mall leads to a frightening confrontation with Carl, who drops cryptic threats against Tom. Meanwhile, Jack grapples with his own internal struggles regarding violence, escalating to a violent encounter at school. An altercation with Tom forces a rift between father and son when Jack feels extreme frustration, eventually leading Jack to take daring action against Carl’s henchmen when they kidnap him.

The climax arises in a fierce showdown at the Stall residence, as Tom employs the same lethal precision against Carl’s men that he utilized against the robbers, culminating in Jack rescuing his father by killing Fogarty in a moment of bravery.

However, the confrontations do not end there. In a heart-wrenching scene at the hospital, Edie confronts Tom, claiming she witnessed a side of him that struck her as the “real” Joey. Shockingly, Tom admits his dark past, confessing that he had indeed murdered for both profit and excitement, desperately trying to reform himself and become “Tom Stall”.

After his recovery, Sheriff Sam attempts to discern the truth behind Tom’s identity, but Edie fiercely defends him, leading to a dramatic climax in their relationship filled with violent passion and subsequent alienation. A call from Tom’s brother, Richie Cusack (William Hurt), propels Tom back to Philadelphia, where he discovers the undercurrents of a revenge-fueled power struggle within the mob, ultimately culminating in a violent confrontation against Richie.

Tom returns to a strained family setting, where the shadow of his past looms large. As they sit around the dinner table, the atmosphere is steeped in tension, yet subtle gestures between Tom, Jack, and Sarah hint at a fragile path towards understanding and acceptance.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for A History of Violence

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from A History of Violence. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


A History of Violence (Trailer)

I Shoulda Killed You Back in Philly

Settling the Score

Cars Featured in A History of Violence

See 28 more

Explore all cars featured in A History of Violence, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Bentley

2003

Continental GT

Buick

1989

Century Wagon

Buick

1997

LeSabre

Cadillac

2002

Escalade

Chevrolet

1993

Caprice

Chevrolet

1991

Cavalier

Chevrolet

2000

Impala

Chrysler

2005

300

Dodge

2000

Dakota

Dodge

1994

Ram Van

A History of Violence Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


female full frontal nuditysex scenefemale nuditysex on stairssecret identityfemale pubic hairvaginawoman wears a chearleader uniform for seductionlifting skirtwaitressmurderfalse identitynuditybloody murderfemale star appears nuderobberybardinermobstersmall townself defensesex in bedirish mobredemptionlovehusband wife relationshiprevengeirish americangundouble barreled shotgunfemale rear nuditygangstersmall town cafe69 sex positionmistaken identitystrip clubrapefellatiocunnilingusbullymafiashotgunshot in the shouldershot in the backgash in the facebullyingchild uses a gunmissionary sex positionphiladelphia mobmob hitman

A History of Violence Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for A History of Violence across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


暴力效應 폭력의 역사 Una Historia Violenta Una Historia de Violencia Şiddətin Tarixi Оправданная жестокость A history of violence Şiddetin Tarihçesi Una historia de violencia Uma História de Violência Erőszakos múlt 暴力史 Historia Przemocy Dějiny násilí Το Τέλος της Βίας O istorie a violenței היסטוריה של אלימות Marcas da Violência Une histoire de violence Виправдана жорстокість Una història de violència Тъмно минало ヒストリー・オブ・バイオレンス História násilia Una historia violenta Povijest nasilja Quá Khứ Tội Ác Smurto istorija คนประวัติเดือด Историја насиља

Similar Movies To A History of Violence You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


Other Names for A History of Violence

Explore the alternate titles, translations, and working names for A History of Violence. Learn how the film is known in different regions, languages, and releases, and discover the variations that reflect its cultural reach and marketing choices.


暴力效應 폭력의 역사 Una Historia Violenta Una Historia de Violencia Şiddətin Tarixi Оправданная жестокость A history of violence Şiddetin Tarihçesi Una historia de violencia Uma História de Violência Erőszakos múlt 暴力史 Historia Przemocy Dějiny násilí Το Τέλος της Βίας O istorie a violenței היסטוריה של אלימות Marcas da Violência Une histoire de violence Виправдана жорстокість Una història de violència Тъмно минало ヒストリー・オブ・バイオレンス História násilia Una historia violenta Povijest nasilja Quá Khứ Tội Ác Smurto istorija คนประวัติเดือด Историја насиља

© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.