Small Town Crime
Directed by Eshom Nelms, Ian NelmsAn alcoholic ex-cop (Hawkes) finds the body of a young woman and, through an act of self-redemption, becomes hell-bent on finding the killer but unwittingly puts his family in danger and gets caught up with several dark characters along the way.
- eogonApril 8, 2026Small Town Crime: A Gritty, Uncomfortable Gem If you’re a fan of the Coen Brothers, this film feels like a spiritual cousin to Blood Simple or Fargo. It’s a masterclass in "small-time" stakes that spiral out of control. • Hawke'sPerformance: John Hawkes is the engine of the movie. He plays Mike Kendall not as a "cool" anti-hero, but as a messy, functioning alcoholic whose desperation is palpable. He makes you wince with his choices, creating that uncomfortable tension where you aren't sure if you should root for him or look away. • The Script: This is pulp fiction done right. The dialogue is snappy and sharp, but the plot never loses its grounded, "lived-in" feel. It respects the genre's tropes while adding enough modern grit to feel fresh. • The Ensemble: While Hawkes leads, the supporting cast (especially Octavia Spencer and Robert Forster) brings a level of gravitas that elevates the movie from a standard thriller to a top-tier character study. It’s the kind of movie that reminds you why crime often makes for the most intense cinema
Small Town Crime Trivia
Small Town Crime was released on January 19, 2018.
Small Town Crime was directed by Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms.
Small Town Crime has a runtime of 1h 32m.
Small Town Crime was produced by Brad Johnson, John J. Kelly, Parisa Caviani.
An alcoholic ex-cop (Hawkes) finds the body of a young woman and, through an act of self-redemption, becomes hell-bent on finding the killer but unwittingly puts his family in danger and gets caught up with several dark characters along the way.
The key characters in Small Town Crime are Mike Kendall (John Hawkes), Teddy Banks (Anthony Anderson), Kelly Banks (Octavia Spencer).
Small Town Crime is rated R.
Small Town Crime is a Thriller, Crime, Mystery film.
Small Town Crime has an audience rating of 7 out of 10.