The Violent Police Thriller With A Controversial Star On Netflix That Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
The 2018 neo-noir crime thriller Dragged Across Concrete is streaming on Netflix. Written and directed by S. Craig Zahler, the film is known for its slow-burning, character-driven narrative and gritty, violent elements. It stars Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn in the lead roles, with supporting performances from Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, and Don Johnson.
Mel Gibson And Vince Vaughn Star In Dragged Across Concrete
Dragged Across Concrete revolves around two police detectives, Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson) and Anthony Lurasetti (Vince Vaughn), who are suspended from the police force after a video of their aggressive tactics during an arrest goes viral. Facing financial difficulties and disgraced within the department, they decide to delve into the criminal underworld to secure their financial future.
Their plan involves intercepting and robbing criminals involved in a major heist. This decision puts them on a collision course with dangerous criminals, leading to a series of violent and morally ambiguous situations. As the story unfolds, Dragged Across Concrete delves into the consequences of their actions, the line between good and bad, and the moral ambiguity of their choices.
Critics Responce To The FIlm
Dragged Across Concrete debuted at the 75th Venice International Film Festival in September 2018. It received a limited release in theaters and made its way to video-on-demand in March 2019. The film received a mixed-to-positive reaction from critics. Some praised Mel Gibson’s performance and the film’s dark atmosphere and thematic elements.
However, Dragged Across Concrete faced criticism for its extended runtime, intense violence, and what some perceived as a right-wing bias in its handling of racism and police brutality. The film earned several nominations at the 45th Saturn Awards but was notably shortlisted for the Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property category at the 40th Golden Raspberry Awards.
Mel Gibson’s Publicized Controversies
Mel Gibson’s involvement in Dragged Across Concrete was a notable point in his career due to his problematic behavior that affected his public image. One of the most prominent controversies was his anti-Semitic remarks during a 2006 DUI arrest, which led to backlash in the media and the film industry. There were other instances that included alleged sexist and racist remarks, along with domestic abuse.
These incidents resulted in a temporary setback in Mel Gibson’s acting career. Still, the actor continued to be involved in a mix of acting, directing, and producing projects. In 2016, his film Hacksaw Ridge, which earned six Academy Award nominations, marked a turning point in his public perception, leading to what some described as a “thawing” in his reputation.
Mel Gibson Appeared In Daddy’s Home Before Dragged Across Concrete
In 2017, a year before Dragged Across Concrete, Gibson appeared in the comedy Daddy’s Home 2. Directed by Sean Anders, it served as a sequel to the 2015 film Daddy’s Home. The movie stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg as co-dads who must deal with the challenges of a blended family during the holiday season. This time, they are joined by their own fathers, played by John Lithgow and Gibson.
Afterwards, Gibson Starred In The Professor And The Madman
After Dragged Across Concrete, Gibson appeared in the 2019 historical drama The Professor and the Madman. The actor starred as Professor James Murray, who oversaw the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Gibson played the lead role in the action thriller Force of Nature. The 2020 film was released directly to video-on-demand.
Mel Gibson’s Upcoming Projects
Gibson’s upcoming projects include Boys of Summer, a fantasy adventure mystery directed by David Henrie from a script by Cornelius Uliano and Bryan Schulz. Set in 1997, the story follows a boy and his friends who team up with a retired detective to confront a suspected witch who secretly moved to Martha’s Vineyard. Together, the unlikely team must overcome their fears to save their hometown.
Mel Gibson will also appear in Desperation Road. Billed as an action thriller, the film is directed by Nadine Crocker from a script by Michael Farris Smith. Based on the novel of the same name by Smith, the movie also stars Garrett Hedlund, Willa Fitzgerald, Ryan Hurst as Larry, and Woody McClain as Boyd.
Throughout his career, Mel Gibson has managed to make a comeback in the industry, with some of his later work, released just before Dragged Across Concrete, being well-received. While the neo-noir crime thriller contains graphic violence and is intended for mature audiences due to its content, it’s worth checking out on Netflix.
