The World Made Straight

The Appalachians, North Carolina, 1974: Even 100 years after the end of the Civil War, a small town is still grappling with the aftermath of a brutal massacre that took place back then. A certain potential for violence seems to have become ingrained in the lives of the townspeople ever since those days. Among them is young Travis (Jeremy Irvine), who one day falls out with his father. The teenager moves in with his former teacher, Shuler (Noah Wyle), who scrapes by dealing small amounts of drugs. However, the brief period of peace in Travis’s life comes to an abrupt end when he and Leonard increasingly clash with the local marijuana farmer, Carlton. Slowly but inexorably, a destructive spiral of violence and mistrust begins to unfold... “With its interwoven narrative style, this powerful novel adaptation weaves a complex tapestry that also situates the social tensions within their historical context. Confronting his family secrets leads the protagonist to uncover his own inner demons and ambivalences. An atmospherically compelling drama with explosive outbursts of violence, in which the outstanding cinematography, above all, leaves a lasting impression.” (Lexikon des Internationalen Films)