Overview
A gripping tale of brotherly rivalry and the lengths one will go to for family loyalty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- brooding
- austere
- quiet evening
- serious movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Jeff Nichols's debut for its uncommon depth, talented cast, and atmospheric restraint while noting that its basic feud plot is familiar.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The feud unfolds across Arkansas cotton fields and back roads through sparse dialogue, withheld emotion, and an atmosphere of impending violence.
The central conflict pits two sets of half brothers against one another after their father's death.
Cotton fields and back roads dominate the setting while repeatedly emphasizing the brothers' separation and vulnerability.
The brothers' feud escalates as each group goes to increasingly dangerous lengths to protect its family.
Films like Shotgun Stories, and why
Winter's Bone
austere rural drama centered on family conflict, masculinity, and simmering violence
Mud
measured southern drama exploring damaged family bonds and moral consequence
The Tree of Life
bleakly comic, character-driven rural family drama with restrained tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Jeff Nichols
- Release Date
- 2007-10-01
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (222)
Cast
- Michael Shannon
- Douglas Ligon
- Barlow Jacobs
- Michael Abbott Jr.
- Travis Smith
- Lynnsee Provence
- David Rhodes
- Glenda Pannell
- G. Alan Wilkins
- Natalie Canerday
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Shotgun Stories about?
- After their father's death, rival half-brothers in rural Arkansas are drawn into a stark and escalating cycle of family retaliation.
- What is Shotgun Stories like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Shotgun Stories as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Shotgun Stories violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Shotgun Stories as moderate.
- What did critics think of Shotgun Stories?
- Critics broadly praised Jeff Nichols's debut for its uncommon depth, talented cast, and atmospheric restraint while noting that its basic feud plot is familiar.
- Which films are like Shotgun Stories?
- Films with a similar feel include Winter's Bone, Mud, and The Tree of Life.
- How long is Shotgun Stories?
- Shotgun Stories runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Shotgun Stories?
- In United States, Shotgun Stories is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
