By Any Means

Elegance Bratton's “By Any Means” delves into the turbulent 1960s Mississippi, where a young Black FBI agent, Wayne Strider (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), is forced to collaborate with notorious mafia hitman Greg Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg) to investigate brutal killings targeting civil rights leaders. The film's central premise is undoubtedly intriguing, offering a morally complex exploration of justice and vengeance in a broken system. The standout element of the film is the exceptional work from its lead actors.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers a nuanced and compelling performance as Strider, anchoring the film with his portrayal of an agent grappling with the ethical compromises required. Mark Wahlberg, as the ruthless Scarpa, is equally captivating, bringing a distinct energy to the role that many critics found engaging, despite some finding his prosthetic nose distracting. Their dynamic, while hinting at a buddy-cop trajectory, is often cited as a highlight, providing much of the film's watchability.

However, the screenplay by Sascha Penn frequently struggles to fully realise the potential of its ambitious concept. Reviewers often point to a lack of nuance in its handling of sensitive historical themes, with the narrative sometimes feeling blunt or heavy-handed. The dialogue can be clunky, and the storytelling occasionally veers into simplistic territory, failing to deeply explore the moral complexities it introduces.

This unevenness in writing prevents the film from fully committing to either its historical drama or thriller elements, leading to an identity crisis that undermines its impact. Direction and cinematography are generally competent, providing a propulsive feel to certain sequences, though some critics felt the visuals didn't always elevate the material to its full potential. While the period setting is established, specific praise for production design or editing is less prominent, suggesting a functional rather than exceptional technical finish.

The background sound and music serve the narrative adequately without drawing significant attention. Ultimately, “By Any Means” is a film with strong performances and a powerful core idea, but its execution is hampered by a script that doesn't quite match its ambition.