Billy Bob Thornton’s Fierce in Tepid Backwoods Crime Drama

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The son (Hopper Penn) of an Appalachian meth kingpin (Billy Bob Thornton) struggles to break away.

Screen Media Films

An Appalachian meth kingpin runs afoul of politicians and his weary son when the teen’s drug-addicted mother returns home. Devil’s Peak combines dysfunctional family drama with backwoods gangster betrayals. It unfortunately does neither well in a simple narrative with logistical flaws and rote performances. A bald, tattooed, and menacing Billy Bob Thornton props up the film with alpha male bravado. He nails being an abusive father that alternates between punches and hugs. His dominating swagger highlights downbeats that muddle pacing. Devil’s Peak needed to disseminate that energy to liven the supporting cast.

Jacob McNeely (Hopper Penn) works as a mechanic in his father Charlie’s (Thornton) auto repair shop. The business serves as a front for their meth distribution empire. Charlie rules Jackson County, North Carolina, with an iron fist. The local sheriff (Jackie Earle Haley) turns a blind eye to Charlie’s activities. He gets a taste of the profits and serves as an early warning to law enforcement.

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Charlie’s Ruthless World

Screen Media Films

Two events force Jacob to question his place in Charlie’s ruthless world. His mother Virginia (Robin Wright), an addict and prostitute, comes home years after abandoning her family. She was terrified of Charlie. Jacob also falls in love with Maggie (Katelyn Nacon), the stepdaughter of Bo, (Brian d’Arcy James) a local councilman with big ambitions. Charlie warns Jacob to stay away from Maggie, but he’s hopelessly smitten by her charm and intelligence. Maggie going to college represents a path that never existed for Jacob.

Virginia’s arrest for intoxication leads to major complications. The sheriff warns Charlie that she spoke liberally about his affairs. Jacob tries to help his mother readjust. She begs him to leave this dreadful place. He won’t go without her. Maggie learns that her parents are broke. Jacob refuses to let his beloved’s dream die. He asks Charlie for his cut of the money they’ve earned.

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Devil’s Peak shows the generational grip of criminality. The fearsome Charlie prides himself on McNeely fortitude. They kill enemies and friends alike if needed. Nothing gets in their way. Jacob shrinks before his father’s ambitions. He doesn’t have the nerve to stand up to him. But he also can’t go through with Charlie’s deadly orders. Jacob is stuck in the hell that Charlie created. His only sources of comfort are deemed a threat to Charlie’s control.

Penn plays Jacob as too reserved. This makes sense in some instances but becomes one-note as the story progresses. The scenes with Wright, his real-life mother, lack realistic feelings even though the characters cry rivers. His interaction with Maggie also suffers from this problem. It’s obvious why Jacob would like Maggie. The film doesn’t give any explanation for her affection. There’s little chemistry between them. Maggie predictably becomes the pretty girl pawn when bullets start to fly.

Wrath and Vengeful Nature

Devil’s Peak has violence that strains credulity. There are no secrets. The supporting ensemble is keenly aware of Charlie’s wrath and vengeful nature. Yet they continually engage with him like pigs walking into a butcher shop. There’s also an overreliance on coincidences. A hospital scene is completely unbelievable. Thornton is good here but everything else doesn’t come together.

Devil’s Peak is a production of Curmudgeon Films, Thruline Entertainment, and Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. It is currently in limited theatrical release with a VOD premiere on February 24th from Screen Media Films.

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