Padraic McKinley’s film, The Weight, is surprisingly energetic, defying the sense of heaviness its title suggests. McKinley skillfully tells his story, and he understands how to use the quirks and emotions of his memorable, rough-around-the-edges characters to create a highly entertaining experience. The film is a thrilling and impactful piece, exceeding expectations based on its title.
Many films like McKinley’s – which follows convicts transporting gold through a dangerous landscape – suffer from being either too slow-paced or trying too hard to be profound without earning it. The Weight, however, realizes that true depth often comes through what characters do, not just what they say. The film is focused and well-made, drawing viewers in and relying on the actors’ subtle performances to create believable and engaging characters.
The film’s exciting pace comes from its focused storytelling – it avoids unnecessary details or detours. We’re introduced to Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke) in 1933 Oregon as he speeds down a rural road with his daughter, Penny (Avy Berry), who’s clearly delighted. Soon after, he’s wrongly arrested for defending himself, taken away from Penny, and forced to work in a labor camp overseen by Warden Clancy (Russell Crowe). Clancy proposes a deal: Murphy and a few other inmates can earn their freedom by transporting gold for him.
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The film’s sparse and efficient presentation reflects the focused nature of its characters. Murphy isn’t interested in casual conversation; he’s driven by a clear purpose – to reach his daughter – and has prepared himself as a resourceful tool to achieve it. This leads him on a harrowing journey through a dangerous wilderness, where threats come from the environment, other prisoners, and the temptation of wealth. The film’s consistently gloomy and overcast visuals mirror the growing distrust among Murphy and his team as they near their goal.
The Weight feels more like a collection of challenges and detours for its group of criminals. New characters, like Anna, a Native American woman, join them hoping to escape the gold mines, adding interesting dynamics to the mix. Sometimes it feels like the director is more interested in testing how far he can push his characters into unbelievable situations than telling a cohesive story, but these moments are often exciting to watch. Just when you think you’ve seen the most outrageous thing, something even more unexpected happens – like the men desperately trying to pass gold across a dangerous, rickety bridge one piece at a time. There’s a scene where Murphy and his team are almost crushed by a sudden rush of logs while crossing a river, and a later car sequence that should have been a grand finale, but ends up feeling a bit awkward compared to everything else. The director and cinematographer likely shot much of that car scene in close-up due to budget constraints, but it’s still impressive they attempted such large-scale action despite the limitations. Most films wouldn’t even try.
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The characters fit familiar roles for this type of movie, but with some interesting twists. Jones and Murphy are both strong-willed, but Murphy is guided by his conscience more than Jones, who is ruthless. As usual, there’s a character who’s too trusting to survive and another whose selfishness leads to their downfall. Hawke grounds the film with his brooding intensity, often letting his expressions speak louder than words. While he clearly has deep feelings and a rich inner life, he hides them to focus on the mission. The work isn’t simple, and orders always come with hidden complications, making the men’s journey – from its hopeful beginning to its eventual breakdown – a tense and captivating experience.
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Rarely does a movie feel truly special, prompting the thought, “They just don’t make films like this anymore.” This feeling often points to a time when stories were simpler and more satisfying, without feeling disposable. The film The Weight challenges that notion, asking why someone can’t create such a movie today. Director McKinley delivers, proving that powerful and compelling cinema is possible with actors willing to fully commit to complex, vibrant characters. The film is incredibly immersive and intense—you’ll be swept away and won’t even realize how deeply you’re affected until it’s over, much like a thrilling roller coaster ride. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a film of this quality this year.
The Weight was reviewed following its premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.
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2026-02-04 00:32