Acts of Violence
"Protect what's yours."
Roman, a former soldier, learns his fiancée has been abducted by human traffickers. He rounds up his two ex military brothers and dives into a brutal chase to bring her home before time runs out. Along the way he teams with Detective James Avery, a dogged cop who is tearing into trafficking... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 21, 2026
About Acts of Violence
Roman, a former soldier, learns his fiancée has been abducted by human traffickers. He rounds up his two ex military brothers and dives into a brutal chase to bring her home before time runs out. Along the way he teams with Detective James Avery, a dogged cop who is tearing into trafficking networks and the corrupt system that too often looks the other way. The pursuit snakes through dim city streets, shuttered warehouses, and tense safe houses as they trace a line from street level couriers to the shadowy core of a larger ring. The plan is simple in theory and brutal in practice, with every step raising the stakes for everyone involved.
Directed by Brett Donowho and released in 2018, Acts of Violence leans into lean action rather than sprawling subplots. The film adapts Nicolas Aaron Mezzanatto's concept into a tight, no fluff thriller that pairs Bruce Willis and Cole Hauser with a grittier, street level hustle. The production favors compact set pieces and practical stunts over glossy effects, delivering a straightforward ride from start to finish.
Critical reception was mixed but notes a dependable pace and blunt realism. The film foregrounds loyalty, the price of vengeance, and the friction between vigilantism and official investigations. Willis brings a gravelly authority, Hauser supplies steadiness, and the brisk, procedural progress keeps tension high even when the plot treads familiar ground.
Box office: The movie grossed about 386,790 dollars worldwide, reflecting a limited release and a niche audience. Its modest receipts align with a targeted release pattern rather than a wide national rollout, suggesting a specific appeal to fans of compact action thrillers.
Awards: There were no major nominations noted for Acts of Violence, and it did not win well known awards. The film is generally viewed as a mid range action thriller rather than a prestige project.
Details
- Release Date
- January 12, 2018
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 432 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Action, Crime, Thriller
- Country
- Canada
- Studio
- Colecar Productions +3 more
- Box Office
- $386,790
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Bruce Willis
Detective James Avery
Cole Hauser
Deklan
Shawn Ashmore
Brandon
Ashton Holmes
Roman
Melissa Bolona
Mia
Sean Brosnan
Vince
Sophia Bush
Detective Brooke Baker
Mike Epps
Max Livingston
Tiffany Brouwer
Jessa MacGregor
Jenna B. Kelly
Haley
Director: Brett Donowho
Written by: Nicolas Aaron Mezzanatto