A History of Violence

When mild-mannered diner owner Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) kills two violent criminals in self-defense, he becomes a local hero but attracts the attention of mysterious figures who claim to know his true identity. As dark secrets unravel, his loving family is forced to question everything they thought they knew about the man they love. David Cronenberg's tense thriller explores themes of violence, identity, and the darkness lurking beneath the American Dream.

• David Cronenberg directed the film based on a graphic novel.
• Viggo Mortensen trained extensively in jiu-jitsu for his role.
• The film was shot entirely in Ontario, Canada.
• Cronenberg considered it his most mainstream film ever made.
• William Hurt received an Oscar nomination for just 16 minutes.

• Tom Stall: I should have killed you in Philly when I had the chance.
• Carl Fogarty: In this family, we don't kill people. Or do we, Joey?
• Edie Stall: How do you fuck up killing a guy with a coffee pot?
• Richie Cusack: Jesus, Joey, you should hear yourself. You sound like a hick.
• Tom Stall: This is America, we don't settle things that way.