A sort of Blue Velvet contemporary, which is of the highest compliment. A History of Violence features similar themes of violence invading the idyllic American dream, only this time around it’s resurfacing instead of being dug up. The darkness spreads like the plague in this fantastic thriller, and David Cronenberg is at his most clever directing. Note the evolution of the weather and the naturalness of the dialogue in the violent scenes as opposed to the stiff calm scenes. Gripping and respectful.