Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) (2020): Cast & Ratings
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) is a 2020 crime drama directed by Nick Rowland, starring Cosmo Jarvis as Arm, Barry Keoghan and Liam Carney. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $103,162 worldwide. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the BAFTA 2021. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Nick Rowland
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Cinéart
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) About?
The premise of Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In rural Ireland, a former boxer with a complicated past finds himself working as an enforcer for a ruthless crime boss. He navigates a dangerous world of debt collection while also striving to provide stability for his young, autistic son. The challenging circumstances force him to confront both his violent tendencies and the responsibilities of fatherhood in a harsh environment.
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Cast & Characters
Cosmo Jarvis leads the cast as Arm, with Barry Keoghan as Dympna and Liam Carney as Fannigan. Directed by Nick Rowland; 13 actors are credited in all.
- Director Nick Rowland
-
Cosmo Jarvis as Arm -
Barry Keoghan as Dympna - Liam Carney as Fannigan
- Hazel Doupe as Charlie
Also Starring in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)
· 9 more- Niamh Algar Ursula
- Anthony Welsh Rob
- David Wilmot Hector
- Ned Dennehy Paudi
- Ryan McParland Needles
- Simone Kirby June
- Toni O'Rourke Lisa
- Brian Doherty Larry
- Roisin O'Neill Fatima
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Calm with Horses demonstrates notable visual sophistication and compelling performances but is held back by a somewhat familiar and uneven narrative. Critics and users alike praise the film’s precise direction, striking cinematography, and empathetic focus on familial loyalty. While the lead actors deliver emotionally resonant work, the plot occasionally feels derivative and suffers from pacing lulls. In balance, the film’s artistic and emotional strengths give it lasting appeal despite its storytelling limitations.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, Calm with Horses delivers consistently strong direction and cinematography. Reviews emphasize the director’s confident visual style and precise shot composition, while production and editing work support the film’s tense atmosphere. Observers note the effective use of framing and controlled color palettes to reinforce the narrative’s gritty realism. Overall, the film’s artful execution enhances its emotional resonance and narrative clarity.
- Character & Emotion 90
When it comes to character and emotion, the film excels with its lead performances and ensemble depth. Critics and audiences highlight the nuanced portrayals by the protagonists, noting the portrayal of internal conflict and familial bonds. The cast’s chemistry and emotional authenticity bring gravity to key scenes, creating a complex portrait of loyalty and vulnerability. In sum, the film’s character work drives its emotional core and maintains viewer investment.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, opinions are mixed on originality and pacing. Observers note the film’s familiar crime drama structure and commend its thematic focus on violence and family, yet several responses mention narrative predictability and occasional pacing lulls. While certain high-tension sequences engage viewers, the overall arc lacks surprising developments. Thus, the story maintains interest through strong set pieces but falls short of narrative innovation.
- Sensory Experience 75
When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s visual style is a clear highlight while its sound elements are more uneven. Observers praise the cohesive color palette and immersive camerawork that underscore the story’s gritty tone, yet some users report occasional challenges in accent clarity. The score and sound design support tense moments but lack distinct thematic identity. Overall, the sensory presentation enhances atmosphere despite its minor audio inconsistencies.
- Rewatch Factor 65
When it comes to rewatch factor, the film offers moderate replay value through its strong performances and memorable imagery. Viewers recognize the emotional depth of key scenes and the visual precision that may reward subsequent viewings. However, narrative familiarity and occasional pacing issues limit the desire to revisit the story frequently. In sum, the film maintains a modest lasting appeal rooted in its character-driven moments and striking visual sequences.
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Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 69%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 5.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
40 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.2 /5
See on Movie Insider
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Plot Summary
What happens in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Arm is a retired boxer who now works as muscle for the Devers crime family after an in-ring tragedy. Under the orders of his close friend and boss Dympna Devers Barry Keoghan, Arm Cosmo Jarvis must enforce the family’s ruthless code. When a Devers associate named Fannigan Liam Carney is accused of drunkenly trying to climb into bed with Dympna’s youngest sister, Charlie Hazel Doupe he is beaten as punishment, a chilling reminder of how tightly the Devers grip their world, and how fragile Arm’s own loyalties have become.
Full summary
The whole story of Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence), scene by scene
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Box Office
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) grossed $103,162 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$103.2K
- International
- $103.2K
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Awards & Nominations
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the BAFTA 2021. The 5 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the BAFTA 2021.
5 nominations2 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 2021 4 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Barry Keoghan
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Niamh Algar
- Nominated Best Casting
- Nominated Outstanding British Film
-
IFTA Awards 2020 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Niamh Algar
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Trailers & Videos
8 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 3 featurettes.
- Trailer US Trailer
- Teaser 20" Second Spot
- Clip Official Clip
- Clip Exclusive Clip
How Well Do You Know Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was Arm's former profession?
Cars in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)
4 cars on screen, including the 1990 Toyota Celica and the Ford Focus MkI.
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1990 Toyota Celica Main role -
Ford Focus MkI Minor role -
Nissan unknown Minor role -
New Holland Background role
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “ئارامی لەگەڵ ئەسپەکان” and “종말”.
- Also known as
-
- ئارامی لەگەڵ ئەسپەکان
- 종말
- Trách Nhiệm Đen Tối
- Trốn Chạy Tội Lỗi
- 폭력의 그림자
- 倚马而息
- Стойкая броня
- Mantén la calma
- L'Ombre de la violence
- L'ombra della violenza
- Стійка броня
- 倚馬而息
+1 more Show fewer
- Calm cu caii
Seen Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence), each answered in a sentence.
How long is Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) released?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) was released on July 31, 2020.
Who directed Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) was directed by Nick Rowland.
More films by Nick Rowland Who is in the cast of Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) stars Cosmo Jarvis as Arm, Barry Keoghan as Dympna and Liam Carney as Fannigan, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) make at the box office?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) grossed $103,162 worldwide.
How is Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) rated?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) has 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic, 62% on TMDB and 3.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Was Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) nominated for any awards?
Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) received 5 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) have a post-credit scene?
No. Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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