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Crime drama

Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) (2020): Cast & Ratings

Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) (2020) movie poster

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.

Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$103.2K
award nominations
5
Echo Score
78
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Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Nick Rowland
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Studio
Cinéart
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)

· 9 more
Ratings

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).

78 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Box Office

Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) grossed $103,162 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$103.2K

International
$103.2K
Awards

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

Videos

Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 2 clips and 3 featurettes.

All 8 videos
UK Trailer
  • Trailer US Trailer
  • Teaser 20" Second Spot
  • Clip Official Clip
  • Clip Exclusive Clip
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was Arm's former profession?

Cars

Cars in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence)

4 cars on screen, including the 1990 Toyota Celica and the Ford Focus MkI.

  • 1990 Toyota Celica in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) 1990 Toyota Celica Main role
  • Ford Focus MkI in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Ford Focus MkI Minor role
  • Nissan unknown in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) Nissan unknown Minor role
  • New Holland in Calm with Horses (The Shadow of Violence) New Holland Background role
Details

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
  • Calm cu caii

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FAQ

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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