point defiance movie review

Point Defiance

By Alan Ng | May 15, 2020

Like a good roller coaster, the thriller starts slow and steady until faced with a long uphill climb. The higher you get, the coaster’s vista is a preview to the complex mystery that unravels once you reach the apex. Such is the case with Justin and Timothy Foia’s thriller, Point Defiance .

Our mystery begins with Peter (Derek Phillips), a man living on an isolated farm along the Puget Sound called Point Defiance. The property itself is gorgeous, and Peter lives an affluent lifestyle. He’s on the phone working out a rather large property deal. Peter hasn’t left Point Defiance in months, thanks to a prison ankle bracelet. The bracelet is an inconvenience, but it sure beats prison, and the setting is quite tranquil. But what did Peter do?

“…Crystal is gone, and Alex is acting suspiciously by heading off to the shed to ‘take care of something.'”

One morning, Peter’s brother, Alex (Josh Crotty), appears out of nowhere in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Alex has just returned from active duty in the Middle East and appears to suffer from PTSD. His appearance creates a significant disruption in Peter’s life. First, Alex orders a large case of booze, not knowing Peter is now sober (probably has something to do with the ankle bracelet). Alex also reminds Peter of their tumultuous relationship with their father, and lastly, Alex hires a prostitute to satiate some urges.

Upset by his return, Peter heads off to bed, while Alex spends time with the escort, Crystal (Lauren Elaine). When Peter wakes the next morning, Crystal is gone, and Alex is acting suspiciously by heading off to the shed to “take care of something.” It also doesn’t help that Peter discovers traces of blood here and there. Soon enough, a pair of police detectives (Sarah Butler and Steven Swadling) arrive inquiring if anyone had seen a missing woman (who looks like Crystal) as her abandoned car was found just outside Peter’s property. Peter says no and covers for Alex. The ankle bracelet gives Peter the best alibi. But what exactly did Alex do and why is the camera drawn to a small clearing in the forest?

Point Defiance (2020)

Directed: Justin Foia

Written: Justin Foia, Timothy Foia

Starring: Derek Phillips, Josh Crotty, Lauren Elaine, Sarah Butler, Steven Swadling, etc.

Movie score: 7.5/10

"…Peter hasn't left Point Defiance in months, thanks to a prison ankle bracelet."

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Point Defiance

Where to watch.

Rent Point Defiance on Prime Video, or buy it on Prime Video.

Critics Reviews

Cast & crew.

Justin Foia

Derek Phillips

Peter Allen

Josh Crotty

Lauren Elaine

Sarah Butler

Detective Barnes

Steven Swadling

Detective Fripp

Here’s the Story Behind the New Point Defiance Movie

Our beloved Point Defiance has made it to the silver screen! producer Mark Sayre , coupled with the co-writing talents of Justin and Timothy Foia, have created a nearly 2-hour suspense-filled masterpiece.

I got the opportunity to pick Mark’s brain about the ins and outs of the film, and the overall work put into it.

What was shooting the film on Vashon Island like? What were the advantages and challenges that location presented?

Mark: It was a pretty remarkable production as far as any independent film I’ve ever been involved with goes, and part of that is probably sentimental since I grew up on the island. Everybody involved stayed in hotels or Airbnb’s on the island so it felt like we were a little film army or family. Plus, summer in the Pacific Northwest is so beautiful. I’m grateful for that. 

As far as challenges go, whenever you shoot out of Los Angeles you have to bring in all that gear, you know? Plus, if we needed more gear, we were separated by a ferry ride. We also had a bit of a budget constraint, but something like that forces you to be creative. Personally, I enjoy the challenge that a financial limitation may pose because it causes you to find very unique ways to get the job done.

I think that a lot of people consider Washington home to a lot of scary people like the Greenriver Killer and Ted Bundy. Despite this, I haven’t seen many (if any) horror films come out of the Evergreen State. How did this story come to be set in Point Defiance?

Justin and Timothy wrote the story with the Pacific Northwest, specifically Point Defiance, in mind. I’ve always thought the Pacific Northwest has been underrepresented in film to a large degree, which is tragic because the natural beauty is going to waste and there’s a lot of potential. Not just in Washington, but in the entire PNW.

The house Peter lives in is particularly striking. Do you think that was crucial to the aesthetic of the film? What’s the story behind how that house was chosen for the film? 

That’s another added bonus of the budget constraint we had; we had to create the story around one location. With that in mind, Justin [Foia] and I knew that we had to find ways to make that location seem bigger than it actually was. Luckily, the house that Point Defiance was shot in is my family home. The eight acres it provided gave us a bit of latitude and the barn helped as a narrative device, because we were able to designate that as like the “bad place.”

I think that with any film that is shot in one spot, that location inevitably becomes another character. It is important, I think, to find a property, location, or home that feels bigger than it is, but also has some sort of inherent production value. We really lucked out with the property and saved quite a bit of money. 

I thought it was great that Alex, the main character, was on house arrest. Not only narratively, but because anyone who watches this is probably going to feel like they’re on house arrest because of COVID-19. Was that planned at all?

Total happy coincidence! We definitely tried to take advantage of that on our social media. One of the silver linings of releasing it now is that it just happens to have some topical glue.

How did you come to be involved with the project?

I lived in Los Angeles for the better part of 15 years. I actually just moved my principal residence back to Vashon Island. But I met Justin back in maybe 2010 or 2011. I was introduced through a former classmate and filmmaker, Nick Perlerros. Nick had mentioned to me a different product that Justin and his brother Timothy had written, which we ended up working on together. I really enjoy Justin’s writing style.

Fast forward a couple years later, Justin and I formed Lexicon , our current production house. We’ve focused on trying to do films under the million dollar level, and this was the first go at that. This film is basically an answer to that challenge.

How long did filming take?

This is probably one of the most remarkable things about the production because we shot the entire film in 11 days. Typically we only shoot 5 pages of a script a day, so usually the shortest amount of time it takes is about 18 days, and at most 30.

The speed is a testament to the entire cast and crew because everybody was game to take on that challenge. The actors were on top of their lines and were just ready for their scenes. People just knew what to do to execute.

I noticed a dating profile in the film had Tacoma listed as the woman’s location. What are some of the other ways you worked the setting in?

I think that if you’re from the Pacific Northwest, the name Point Defiance carries some weight because it’s a huge landmark in Washington. But I think something that’s interesting is that when people watch the film they’re going to be looking for all of these things that they can identify with in the Tacoma area. With the contained nature of the film, we had to work it into the little details. Things like the dating app they met Crystal on or the news.

A few of our social media followers commented about this being another movie that correlates PTSD with being homicidal. How do you respond to those who are concerned about that becoming common in movies?

It’s easy to draw that conclusion by just watching the trailer. But, if you watch the full film, you’re going to see that it makes a very unique statement about PTSD. It sort of turns it on its head. I think there is an assumption that is being made about soldiers and PTSD. The film directly tackles that assumption.

It’s a hypersensitive subject and Justin and I knew that we were going to have some of those concerns come up. It’s really easy to draw those conclusions before you even finish the film. We all do it. I would encourage anyone who feels that way to watch the film and see the statement it’s really making.

Do you have any other films planned that will be set in our area? Or are there any Tacoma/Pacific Northwest stories you’d like to turn into a movie?

We do! We’ve got at least one film in the pipeline that we’re planning to shoot in the Pacific Northwest, outside of the Seattle area. We also have plans for an episodic series, but it’s really too early to release any details about it.

I will say, though, that we have some really fun people attached to it and that we have plans to shoot all over the Northwest. It actually is related to your point earlier about all the serial killers from Washington. The show is going to be reminiscent of True Detective season 1 but with a female protagonist.

As far as other stories from the Pacific Northwest that could get the film treatment, there are tons. If something has its roots in Washington I’m all the more interested I am in shooting it. However, we’re trying to stay away from adapting real-life stories and just sticking to original content. Getting the rights to stories can be tricky and it’s usually the business of major production companies.

That being said, if it was something that was right up our alley that fit with the body of work that Lexicon has, I’m sure we’d be game.

Special thanks to Mark for taking the time to speak with us.

Point Defiance is now available via Vimeo and on DVD . Check out the film and then tell us what you think of the finished product by leaving a comment below.

I’m surprised the article didn’t mention The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. That was a pretty big deal when it was filmed here in the early 90’s. Pretty good suspense flick too, as I recall. Definitely going to check this one out!

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Point defiance.

Directed by Justin Foia

While under house arrest, stockbroker Peter Allen's (Derek Phillips) world is turned upside down after Alex (Josh Crotty), his troubled brother, returns from military duty in Afghanistan, forcing Peter to face a forgotten past harboring a dark secret.

Derek Phillips Josh Crotty Lauren Elaine Sarah Butler Steven Swadling

Director Director

Justin Foia

Writers Writers

Timothy Foia Justin Foia

Shoreline Entertainment

Releases by Date

21 oct 2018, releases by country.

• Premiere PG-13 Peoria Film Fest

100 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

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Review by Mario Melendez ★★★★

Its story time: yesterday Wednesday I went shopping with my mom and my sister to my local Best Buy near my house (which fortunately they haven't closed yet) and by pure chance, I found myself on a shelf of recent releases released in import DVD format and among all that was there was this movie, and I don't know why but for some reason the cover attracted me and I decided to read the synopsis that was on the back which made me think "oh, this one sounds so interesting". I feel surprised with myself because it has been a long time since I had this experience of being easily attracted to a movie that I could find in any…

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‘point defiance’ review: a tale of two brothers.

Point Defiance  is a well done thriller that reminds audiences of the most important part of the genre: the movie does a lot of things right before losing its way at the end. So, the next question becomes, if a thriller does not nail the landing, is it still good?

Point Defiance  has a fairly small cast. The two brothers are the focus here. Therefore, it is incredibly important they work well with each other. A lack of chemistry runs the risk of ruining the immersion of the film.

Phillips and Cotty do a great job as the brothers. The normal dynamic plays out here. Peter is calmer and more level headed; Alex is much more aggressive. It sounds too familiar, especially with some of the cliche ridden dialogue. Thankfully, it never feels like that since writers Justin and Timothy Foia have written a story about two siblings that are much more alike than even they realize.

The mystery will engage audiences. There is the immediate question regarding Peter’s ankle bracelet. Before long, it becomes clear that is just one of many secrets between the two brothers. Before long,  Point Defiance introduces a missing woman (or two) and the ramifications of a traumatic childhood. True to form, the twists keep adding up.

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Point Defiance (Review)

by Blacktooth Jun 11, 2020, 10:35 am 1 Comment

Director – Justin Foia (Doe, The Double) Starring – Derek Phillips (Longmire, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Josh Crotty (Isle of the Dead, Grimm), and Lauren Elaine (Party Monsters, Criminal Minds) Release Date – 2020 Rating – 3/5

Tagline – “You can’t bury the past”

I never know what is going to show up for review. Sometimes I get movies that I’ve been following for months that I truly want to see and other times I receive movie’s that I’ve never heard of. Last week I received two movies from Bayview Entertainment to check out.

The first film was a drama titled Waterlily Jaguar that featured an amazing cast but the story took a winddown on the second half. The second film was the 2020 thriller Point Defiance. The artwork made me think this one would be painfully generic and not that entertaining. I was wrong. I want to thank Bayview for sending this one over.

**Spoiler Alert** The film follows Peter (Phillips) who is on house arrest for an unknown crime. His brother Alex (Crotty), a veteran, pays him a surprise visit after the two go more than a year without seeing each other. Things start out smoothly but soon Alex’s erratic behavior leaves Peter on edge. One night Alex orders an escort and starts drinking which is something Alex is against. The next day his life is turned upside down when he makes the connection to the escort and a missing woman from the area. Then his brother’s secret business in his barn makes him suspicious. To make matters worse, the police are now questioning him about her disappearance. **Spoiler Alert**

I went into this one with an open mind but I wasn’t expecting the much. However, I was very surprised by the film and it’s quality. I enjoyed it for the most part but the final act did make me face palm. With that aside, I was pleased with the film.

The acting in this one is fucking fantastic. I loved the two Allen brothers. Phillips and Crotty worked so well together. They have great chemistry on film and they absolutely crushed their scenes together. Honestly, this film would have failed early on if it wasn’t for them.

The story for this one has me sold during the first portion of the film but once we enter the third act I found myself rolling my eyes due to the predictability of the story. The brothers struggling to accept each other and the people they have become was a solid story line. However, the second part of the film changed that up and delivered a predictable and chaotic story that is not as fun on screen as I’m sure it was on paper.

Finally, the film does have some blood but if you are looking for a straight forward horror flick you will be disappointed. The film is focused on the story and not blood and gore so true horror fans will not find the effects they are looking for. Overall, Point Defiance is a solid thriller but the flow of the film is dampered by the predictable twists that are tossed near the ending of the film. Even the most inexperience genre fans will see these coming from a mile away. However, that doesn’t ruin the film but does take away from the impact. You can check the movie out on DVD now from Bayview Entertainment.

(Staff Writer) Lover of all things horror and metal. Also likes boobs and booze.

One Comment

As was stated in the review I just read after watching the movie I did see all those things and it was so predictable I can’t recommend it nothing exciting acting was okay this is just too many variables too much left out information is is the key to everything in movies and this slack that information.

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Point Defiance Review – Solid Psychological Thriller Haunts to the End

Directed and co-written by Justin Foia, Point Defiance stars Derek Phillips, Josh Crotty, Lauren Elaine, Sarah Butler, and Steven Swadling and was co-written by Timothy Foia.

The film begins in the home of an online stock trading, Peter Allen , played by Derek Phillips, obviously a man who has done quite well for himself with a home overlooking Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Washington. Allen, an online stock broker, is a creature of habit, same routine day in, day out.

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On this day, the local news is playing in the background and a story about a girl missing for more than a year. Without thinking he turns off the TV and begins to work again.

Waking to noises in the house, he makes his way to the kitchen, armed with a bat for protection, he stumbles onto his brother, Alex , played by Josh Cotty, who is home from active duty in Afghanistan and just wants to hang out for a few days.

The two, who are polar opposites, begin to catch up and we find out that Peter has given up drinking, has an active house arrest ankle bracelet monitoring his every move, and uses a portable breathalyzer to provide an analysis as required.

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Alex is party ready at the drop of a hat. Active duty has left his with PTSD and booze is the painkiller. Soon he has a crate of liquor delivered and begins a binge. Next on his agenda is sex, after finding an online escort service on his brother’s computer, he orders service for two with a party favor treat to begin the evening.

Crystal , played by Lauren Elaine, arrives and the evening begins with Peter, shell shocked and shy, as he watches his older brother, a smooth operator take control.  The morning arrives and another report on the television news of the missing girl. In over a year the trail and been cold. The news reports her car had been found.

After a brief confrontation with his brother about the night before, the doorbell rings and two Detectives Barnes , played by Sarah Butler, and Fripp , played by Steven Swadling, are at the front door. They hand him a flyer on the missing girl, as they are just out canvassing, and are wondering if he saw anything. They also note his ankle monitor which they know limits his ability to leave the boundary of the property.

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As his brother is still living the wildlife, the temptation for the booze becomes almost blinding until he dumps out the remainder of Alex’s stash and is taking out the bottles when the detectives return. He ends the questions by explaining he is home alone, no one is here, and he hasn’t left the property, and this feels a bit like harassment and please leave the property.

Suddenly the two brothers, each understand the other is hiding a secret. As the film progresses, the lines blur between reality as each of the brothers are haunted by their childhood abuse, an alcoholic father who committed suicide and the fallout from their personal injury.

The final break occurs when Peter’s escape property in Mexico, which he sent the owner a large down payment, falls through and he finds out his entire life savings was diverted to an irrevocable trust.

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The taut suspenseful drama captures the attention and holds on, winding through the dark recesses of repressed memories, leaving the viewer to determine what is reality and what is the manifestation of deeply disturbed mind.

The casting is perfect, creating an ensemble that also delivers strong, convincing, authentic performances. Point Defiance is a riveting must see psychological thriller, holding the viewing as the story moves closer to an unexpected and shocking truth that resonates long after the film is over.

Point Defiance will be released on DVD May 19, 2020. See it.

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Why Age 15+?

Harsh swearing throughout, including all forms of "f--k" and many instances of "

Violent battle scenes from beginning to end. Piles of naked bodies lie in a dry

Multiple scenes of Russian soldiers, victims, survivors, and partisans drinking

A man's hand touches a woman's breast over her clothes. Several passionate kisse

Any Positive Content?

Classic good-versus-evil situations. Bravery and selflessness are shown to be po

Most of the characters aren't clearly "good" or "bad." For instance, Russian sol

Harsh swearing throughout, including all forms of "f--k" and many instances of "s--t," "bitch, " and "hell."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Violent battle scenes from beginning to end. Piles of naked bodies lie in a dry river bed; babies and children are wrenched from parents' arms and slaughtered; bombs are dropped on fleeing victims. There are many instances of cold-blooded, point-blank shooting, including the execution of entire families. There are also vicious fist fights, stabbings, and a lengthy scene in which an angry mob beats and stomps a Nazi soldier to death.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Multiple scenes of Russian soldiers, victims, survivors, and partisans drinking vodka. One leading character drinks heavily. Several scenes in which men drink until they become very drunk. Camaraderie inspired by drunkenness appears to be the only form of recreation available to these people who are hiding out for years.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A man's hand touches a woman's breast over her clothes. Several passionate kisses. One couple is shown embracing, with their bare shoulders visible above blankets to indicate a post-sexual moment.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Classic good-versus-evil situations. Bravery and selflessness are shown to be powerful forces against the enemy. Meanwhile, the Nazis wreak havoc on the Polish Jews -- rounding them up, killing them, bombing them, and spraying bullets into large groups of people (including women and children).

Positive Role Models

Most of the characters aren't clearly "good" or "bad." For instance, Russian soldiers are shown to be heroic but also anti-Semitic. And the Jewish victims who fight back are shown to be both honorable and selfish, just and unjust.

Parents need to know that this war movie isn't for kids. There are many fierce battles and violently graphic killings, as well as executions of unarmed citizens. Other images include hand-to-hand combat, mob beatings, point-blank shootings, and barbaric, inhumane treatment of the Jewish population. The language is very strong as well, with lots of harsh swearing. There's some suggested sexuality, but nothing explicit and no nudity. Soldiers and resistance members drink vodka in many scenes, sometimes to excess. But if they can handle the intense content, this movie could offer mature teens and young adults a valuable look at a momentous period of recent world history and a vivid example of heroism -- as well as power and prejudice run amok. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (6)
• Kids say (13)

Based on 6 parent reviews

Violence is not the main message

What's the story.

At the height of the Nazi occupation of Poland, three Jewish brothers find their family slaughtered and other Jews being rounded up in the countryside -- with mass killings or extermination camps their sure fate. The brothers escape into the dense Belarussian forest; on the way, eldest brother Tuvia Bielski ( Daniel Craig ) comes to the rescue of a small group of terrified Jews on the run. The refugees follow the brothers into the forest, against the better judgment of volatile middle brother Zus ( Liev Schreiber ), who's certain that their presence will make them all more vulnerable. With Tuvia's help, more and more displaced Jews find their way to the constantly moving Bielski encampment, and a fragile community is established. Some of the able-bodied join forces with the Russian resistance, while others remain with Tuvia, fighting the Nazis and disrupting their brutal purpose. Lives are lost; relationships are built; bravery and sacrifice are rewarded.

Is It Any Good?

Edward Zwick wants to make passionate movies, and DEFIANCE is no exception. The story of a Jewish arm of the Resistance hasn't been told before, not like this. The film is exciting, shot with skill and a singular ability to show the harrowing savagery and heroic behavior that lived and breathed in the early 1940s.

Defiance is less successful when it zeroes in on the stories of the individual people who make up the refugee community. Then the filmmakers rely on certain stereotypes: the intellectual chess players, the leering hothead, the sibling rivalry. Still, it's well worth seeing, if only as an important reminder of where the world has been and how much care must be taken never to return there.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about why so many movies about World War II and the Holocaust are still being made so long after the events occurred. What connection do stories about these events have with today's world?

Are there still instances in which strong beliefs set people apart and against one another? How do you think the media will end up treating current conflicts further down the line?

Why do you think the Bielski brothers were heroic? What made them different from the people who were afraid to stand up for themselves?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 31, 2008
• On DVD or streaming : June 1, 2009
• Cast : Daniel Craig , Jamie Bell , Liev Schreiber
• Director : Edward Zwick
• Studio : Paramount Vantage
• Genre : Drama
• Run time : 137 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : violence and language
• Last updated : July 17, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Schindler's List

The Pianist

Biopic Movies

Political movies.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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Movie Review: Delicate and powerful, ‘Good One’ is one of the year’s indie breakouts

This image released by Metrograph shows Lilly Collias in a scene from “Good One.” (Metrograph via AP)

This image released by Metrograph shows James Le Gros,, left, and Lilly Collias in a scene from “Good One.” (Metrograph via AP)

This image released by Metrograph shows James Le Gros, left, and Lilly Collias in a scene from “Good One.” (Metrograph via AP)

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A 17-year-old’s perception of her father is forever altered on a three-day backpacking trip in India Donaldson’s excellent debut “ Good One ,” in theaters Friday .

Something happens. And then something doesn’t happen. But that’s more of the tear point on the already delicate fabric of a relationship that has been deteriorating from neglect for years.

The trip to the Catskills was envisioned as a joint family trip. Chris (James Le Gros) and his daughter Sam (newcomer Lily Collias) planned to go with Chris’s old friend Matt (Danny McCarthy) and his teenage son. But when they pull up to Matt’s place, there’s an argument taking place between the father and son, who retreats to the apartment as Matt stomps to Chris’s car. The teenage son is no longer joining them.

Donaldson focuses her camera on Sam, whose face and deeply expressive eyes tell you everything you need to know: This is weird and it doesn’t feel right. Suddenly she’s on a boys trip with a pair of sad middle aged men who have known one another for decades and whose lives haven’t worked out the way they thought. Both are divorced. Chris has moved on and has a new baby. Matt is still in the early stages of having his life upended. And, boy, do they talk about their failed relationships, one of whom is obviously Sam’s mother. “I couldn’t make her happy.” “She was the one who started doing things first.” “I didn’t want to get divorced.”

Sam rolls her eyes a lot of the time; Other times she responds insightfully. The guys seem to half hear her, but also not. They long ago decided on their own narrative, their victimhood, and Sam is not going to change that with a bit of innocent truth.

Are they always this honest with their disappointments, failures and shortcomings around their kids, you wonder? Or is this a new thing happening on this trip? Chris, in particular, has forgotten that Sam, as worldly and wise as she seems, is still ultimately just a kid. You sense that Sam has already started to realize that her father is as flawed as anyone; but on this trip, his full self is on display.

All of the acting is terrific and so naturalistic that it’s easy to forget that these are actors performing lines that they’ve memorized in front of a camera. Le Gros as the fastidious super camper, who freaks out about his daughter’s safety from bears when he discovers that Matt was eating in his tent, but does little later on; And McCarthy as a failed actor and now failed husband who can be charming and fun but is mostly annoying and gross. But the real breakout is Collias. Her face and presence, empathetic and knowing, carries the whole film in an unforgettable depiction of modern girlhood with all of the dreaminess, awkwardness and boredom.

Donaldson, like Kelly Reichardt , has a keen eye for the smallest of details; A reaction, a wince, even a blank expression that says everything. She also knows when to turn away from the dialogue and the people and give the audience a nature break. One of many great decisions was to have Sam on her period during the trip, something she deals with silently behind trees and bushes as the guys wait impatiently.

At one point the guys are dreaming about what they’d do differently if they had a second chance at life. Matt would be a philosopher. Chris would own a bookstore. What about Sam, they ask. She responds that hopefully she still has a shot at deciding on this life. Indeed.

These stakes might seem comparatively small in a movie landscape of deadly tornadoes, apocalypses and multiverses colliding. But that’s what makes it so special. It is humanity, with all of its beauties and disappointments, as most of us experience it. And it’s one that will likely stay with you for some time.

“Good One,” a Metrograph pictures release in limited theaters Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for “language.” Running time: 90 minutes. Four stars out of four.

At a Russian Border Post, Scenes of Ruin After Ukraine’s Surprise Attack

A week after the biggest foreign incursion into Russia since World War II, The New York Times visited one of the spots where Ukrainian forces stormed into Russia and surprised the defenders.

The body of a dead Russian soldier lay in front of the destroyed Sudzha border control post in Russia on Monday. The body was recovered by the Ukrainian military and later placed in a body bag. Credit...

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By Andrew E. Kramer

Photographs by David Guttenfelder

Reported from the Sudzha border control post in Russia

• Published Aug. 12, 2024 Updated Aug. 14, 2024

All that remained of a Russian border post was a tableau of destruction: Sheet metal flapped in the wind, customs declarations fluttered about, and stray dogs roamed under a road-spanning sign that said, “Russia.”

Kicking up dust, Ukrainian armored vehicles rumbled past, unimpeded, as the flow of men and weaponry carried on in the biggest foreign incursion into Russia since World War II, an offensive now nearing the end of its first week since the breach of the border here in Sudzha and at several other sites.

At the crossing point, a Ukrainian soldier posted on the roadside waved at the forces passing by, days after Russia’s head of the general staff declared that the attack had been rebuffed.

At the border, the detritus of a losing battle — and signs of soldiers caught by surprise — were scattered about: bullet cartridges tinkled underfoot, discarded body armor lay on the asphalt.

Taking the fight to Russian soil was a weighty moment for Ukraine in its war with Russia, coming two and a half years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion and 10 years after Russia intervened militarily to seize territory and support separatist client states in eastern Ukraine.

Within the first month of the war, Ukraine did strike back with a cross-border helicopter assault and has regularly bombarded Russian oil refineries and airfields with a fleet of homemade drones. Two smaller, earlier forays into Russia by Russian exile groups backed by the Ukrainian Army ended in quick retreats.

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