Acts of Violence poster

Acts of Violence

"Protect what's yours."

Movie R 2018 1h 26m 5.6 /10
Directed by Brett Donowho

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

Bruce Willis

Detective James Avery

Cole Hauser

Cole Hauser

Deklan

Shawn Ashmore

Shawn Ashmore

Brandon

Ashton Holmes

Ashton Holmes

Roman

Melissa Bolona

Melissa Bolona

Mia

Sean Brosnan

Sean Brosnan

Vince

Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush

Detective Brooke Baker

Mike Epps

Mike Epps

Max Livingston

Tiffany Brouwer

Tiffany Brouwer

Jessa MacGregor

Jenna B. Kelly

Jenna B. Kelly

Haley

Director: Brett Donowho

Written by: Nicolas Aaron Mezzanatto

Frequently Asked Questions

Acts of Violence is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 5.6/10 from 432 viewers, Acts of Violence is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

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 netwo...

Acts of Violence stars Bruce Willis, Cole Hauser, Shawn Ashmore, Ashton Holmes, and Melissa Bolona.

Acts of Violence was directed by Brett Donowho.

Acts of Violence was released on January 12, 2018.

Acts of Violence is a Action, Crime, and Thriller film.

Bruce Willis plays Detective James Avery in Acts of Violence. He teams up with Roman to investigate the kidnapping and confront the criminal network.

Ashton Holmes plays Roman, the ex-military brother at the center of the mission. He teams up with Detective James Avery to rescue his kidnapped fiancee.

The story centers on Roman and his ex-military brothers as they try to rescue their kidnapped fiancee from human traffickers. Along the way, Roman joins forces with Detective James Avery to uncover corruption and bring the criminals to justice.

Acts of Violence is rated R, which means it's intended for adult audiences. Expect intense violence and mature themes.