Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- tense
- raw
- quiet evening
- indie drama night
What critics said
Critics found the film emotionally sincere and grounded by strong performances, especially Josh Wiggins and Aaron Paul, while viewing its storytelling as uneven and overly conventional.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hollis is emotionally absent after his wife's death, leaving Jacob and Wes to fend for themselves until CPS intervenes.
Jacob's motocross obsession and escalating delinquency drive the separation from Wes and the family's crisis.
Critics specifically praised the verite-style storytelling, raw performances, and unvarnished Southeast Texas environment.
The film's emotional conflicts unfold against an authentically rendered Southeast Texas environment and blue-collar household.
Films like Hellion, and why
The Tree of Life
shared verite-style family drama, emotionally damaged parents, adolescent alienation, and blue-collar realism
Mud
shared slow-burn domestic drama, troubled youth, parental responsibility, and unvarnished regional atmosphere
Winter's Bone
shared raw coming-of-age conflict, neglectful family dynamics, and gritty social realism
Manchester by the Sea
shared intimate father-son drama, grief, emotional repression, and restrained working-class melancholy
Movie Details
- Director
- Kat Candler
- Release Date
- 2014-06-13
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (134)
Cast
- Aaron Paul
- Juliette Lewis
- Josh Wiggins
- Deke Garner
- Jonny Mars
- Walt Roberts
- Dalton Sutton
- Camron Owens
- Annalee Jefferies
- Corby Sullivan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hellion about?
- A volatile Texas teenager and his grieving father confront neglect, delinquency, and the painful responsibility of keeping their family together.
- What is Hellion like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hellion as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Hellion violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Hellion as mild.
- What did critics think of Hellion?
- Critics found the film emotionally sincere and grounded by strong performances, especially Josh Wiggins and Aaron Paul, while viewing its storytelling as uneven and overly conventional.
- Which films are like Hellion?
- Films with a similar feel include The Tree of Life, Mud, Winter's Bone, and Manchester by the Sea.
- How long is Hellion?
- Hellion runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hellion?
- In United States, Hellion streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
