Blood (I) (2012) User Reviews (26)

Intense

[alan-taylor77 · 7/10 · 23 June 2013]

Blood deserves better than other reviewers have suggested. It is a small movie yes but it is intense and filled with first-rate performances from an excellent cast. Bettany especially is on great form, but then he usually is, as a man falling apart. You believe these characters, understand their motivations and emotions, even as you watch them get closer to the edge.

We may have seen many of the cast in bigger productions but there is no sense that they are slumming it and even the smaller roles are played in an incredibly realistic way. It reminded me of some of the best noir movies in the way the plot is driven by the characters' reactions to one fateful action and the way the claustrophobia mounts as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened. Recommended.

Dark detective tale

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 25 June 2015]

BLOOD is the film version of a lengthy BBC miniseries called CONVICTION, in which a pair of detective brothers struggle to cope with the demands of the job while caring for their father who's suffering from dementia. When a young girl is found brutally murdered in the local skate park, her death drives the men over the edge.

Wow, this is one of the darkest movies I've seen in a while. It's almost wrist-slittingly grim, with a cast populated by the mentally ill, perverts, and psychopaths. The film was shot in the Wirral and looks dark and grim throughout, with the only colour that stands out blood red. Depressing scene follows depressing scene, until the final nihilistic climax.

Despite the downbeat nature of the production, this is highly watchable thanks to the talents of a fine cast. Paul Bettany excels as the volatile lead, with Stephen Graham giving a typically assured turn as his stressed-out brother. Brian Cox still shines even in his later years as the elder struggling with memory loss. There are even roles for former comedian Adrian Edmondson and Ben Crompton, best known for his role as one of the Night's Watch in GAME OF THRONES. And I can't say out pleased I am to see Mark Strong NOT typecast as a villain.

The plot is a simple one and yet there's so much incident packed into the scant running time that it ends up being very fast paced with barely room to go out of the room and make a cup of tea. I'm glad it has a short running time too; I'm not sure I would have wanted to sit through hours and hours of this grim story. A British Scandi-noir type thriller, BLOOD deserves plaudits for the work of its cast alone.

The cast is great, the film not so much

[eddie_baggins · 5/10 · 31 March 2014]

For a film with such quality actors and a name brand director in the form of Sam Mendes as producer it's hard to gage just why Blood was released with such little fanfare but then again upon watching of the film it's hard to promote it as a must see when in reality it's a film that whilst having good central performances is just too generic to fully buy into.

Adapted from the British mini series titled Conviction, Blood has a plot that is all too familiar for anyone who has but a passing interest in the family/crime genre of movies. In the role of brothers and cops the film has its strongest points with Paul Bettany in a rare leading role and Stephan Graham in another top supporting turn doing well with their respective characters Joe and Chrissie. It's always good to see Bettany on screen and for an actor that chooses a wide range of shoddy roles it's a welcome return here to see him display a range of emotions. Stephan Graham in my opinion one of the most talented and watchable actors working today with his work on HBO's Boardwalk Empire and roles in feature films such as This is England showcasing his startling talents and again here comes away with the films best moments in a film that needed more of them.

One of Blood's major problems is in its setting up of the story and subsequent lack of feelings after it due to a rushed and frankly over the top scenario that would of worked better if the film spent more time establishing the bond between the brothers, there iffy relationship with fellow cop Robert (thank goodness Strong is not a bad guy!) and the trials they are experiencing with their ex-cop dad Lenny (Cox). It all plays along nicely enough but you never get the sense your witnessing anything feature film worthy thanks to Murphy's bland direction and dull set ups.

If you're a fan of Bettany and Graham Blood is a film worthy of your time to see the fine actors ply their trade side by side but for anyone else Blood is nothing more than a sadly predictable and safe movie that really should have been a lot more memorable.

2 and a half bacon sandwiches out of 5

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A psychological thriller for drama enthusiasts

[JohnRayPeterson · 7/10 · 1 July 2013]

The movie is pegged as a thriller but I prefer calling it a psychological drama with thriller features. As the storyline would have you think, the premise lends itself to a variety of ways it could have gone, however the best one was the psychological thriller and that is what most viewers would like hope to see when selecting this movie.

I recognize the film did not go over so well with critics and they are entitled to their say; well they're paid for it anyway. Sadly, the audience also did not trip to the overall production and I, well I'm usually easy going, am on the fence with that one. Cops, brothers to boot, investigating a crime they themselves have committed entails possible clichés we are likely not thrilled to watch, but director Nick Murphy (and Bill Gallagher the writer) have managed to avoid those to my satisfaction. I'm a fan of Mark Strong and though he delivered a solid performance, his character did not really have a major part, not as much as I was hoping for. Brian Cox, who played the retired cop and father to the brothers, was excellent in his role, as anyone familiar with him would expect.

The movie starts off with a crime scene and introduces us to Joe and Chrissie Fairburn, played respectively by Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham, the brothers. We get a glimpse of the intense personality of Bettany's character at that moment. The movie will then progressively and methodically immerse us in Joe Faiburn's hell, the demons he struggles with and despite that he is what one could call a good guy, the journey into his unravelling. On that basis, I would have felt stronger about endorsing the movie, but alas, I cannot; not that Bettany does not perform his little heart out, and he is an actor who can deliver such, but I know more viewers may well be disappointed with the direction the story goes and ends, so I won't.

I chose to watch this movie because I was curious to see what sort of actor Stephen Graham was; I knew him solely from his role as Al Capone in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. I was impressed by his performances in the series and now that I've seen him in a motion picture, I will consider any future film in which he'll be playing more than a third casted role.

When history makes a force that comes hunting

[OJT · 7/10 · 1 February 2014]

The brothers Chris and Joe are policemen working together. A family tradition. Their old Dad was also a detective, now suffering from the first signs of Alzheimer's decease. They get frustrated when they can't get a former child abuser convicted for murdering a 12 year old girl, even if they find her necklace and some pictures of her in his apartment. They start off with untraditional methods to get him to confess.

This is the start of this British crime thriller, which follows in the great tradition of this kind from the isles. The start is bleak, but takes on a strong turn, which grabs your interest intensively.

A strong cast, with Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham leading on, with great Brian Cox as the father, and Mark Strong as a colleague, and Ben Crompton as the pedophile. Strong performances all over, also from the kids. Bettany is great when he gets this haunted look.

The film is suspenseful and atmospheric, though filmed in bleach colors, making in just the more real looking. Recommended!

Another very good movie in the British crime drama genre. Very tense & leaves you wondering who the good guy is. I liked it. I say B

[cosmo_tiger · 7/10 · 23 July 2013]

"What have you done??! What have you done ??!" After a young girl is brutally murdered it is up to a family on the police force to catch the murderer. After all the clues point to one man two brothers go out and find him and bring him in for questioning. After it turns out there isn't enough evidence for trial they push for a confession. When the interrogation goes to far the family is now forced to investigate the crime they committed. This was an interesting idea for a movie and I am usually a fan of the British crime genre so I was looking forward to seeing this. I was not disappointed at all. The movie was a little slow at times but overall it kept me interested and I really liked the character arcs and watching all of them change for better or worse. The cast and acting is great and the movie is tense and entertaining. Fans of this genre will really enjoy this, I know I did. Overall, very much worth seeing and keeps you feeling tense and your not really sure who to root for the entire movie. I give it a B.

Well done over dramatic cliché ....

[herrick416 · 6/10 · 19 December 2018]

I wasn't as disappointed as others here. It was worth the time spent although it started out well as a psychological thriller and then became a cliché with a whole bunch of drama that lacked believability. The acting more powerful than the script demanded which could equate to a waste of talent. But again I don't see things that way. Fine acting is still fine acting whether the characters would show up in real life or remain frozen on a screen which is right where I leave them the moment the credits appear and I don't feel sad saying goodbye to any of them. No spoilers because I think we can see where it's going pretty early on ... Having found what appears more wrong than right, I wasn't bored and I waited until the very end to feel slightly dissatisfied yet anxious to hear what other viewers have to say. That's a good sign.

Disappointing

[rurquhart-2 · 5/10 · 2 June 2013]

Great cast, promising story - but ultimately disappointing.

It did not surprise me to learn that this film was based on a TV series. Over much of the running time I found myself distracted by just how busy the story was. It was one plot point after another, after another, with no space in-between to let the characters (or audience) absorb each of the many developments before proceeding - or to establish a strong sense of mood or location. It seemed as though the makers had condensed into a feature film length a story that was intended to be told over a much longer duration - as though an emotionally balanced story had been harshly edited, leaving just a collection of 'flashpoints.'

With a cast and story this good, Blood could have achieved something as atmospheric and dramatic as Mystic River. Unfortunately though, it felt like one of those British TV crime dramas in which they have to introduce characters, portray a crime, investigate the crime (uncovering a series of disturbing family secrets and dispensing with a couple of red herrings in the process) and arrive at a harrowing (but ultimately just) conclusion, all within the span of a single episode.

An enjoyable, but not especially memorable, film.

Nice performances in this well-shot British family drama.

[DimitrisPassas-TapTheLine · 7/10 · 25 November 2019]

"Blood" is a crime film directed by Nick Murphy ("The Awakening", "The Secret") that is lucky enough to cast some of the best British actors like Brian Cox, Paul Bettany, and Stephen Graham. The story is about two siblings, Joe (P. Bettany) and Chrissie (S. Graham), both police officers working cases together and with a father (B. Cox) that has also been a cop in the previous years and is now retired and mentally disabled. When the body of a young girl is found the brothers will zero in one suspect, Jason Buliegh (Ben Crompton), that seems very likely to be the culprit of this gruesome crime. They interrogate him but they are forced to release him due to the lack of enough evidence to charge him. Joe is absolutely certain for Buliegh's guilt so he along with Chrissie abduct Jason in order to make him confess the murder. Things get out of hand and Joe kills Jason by hitting him in the head with a shovel.

After that, the audience watches the gradual crumbling of both Joe and Chrissie, each one struggling to accept their terrible deed and fight their inevitable feelings of guilt. This will worsen further when they realize that they blamed the wrong man and that Buliegh was actually innocent of the girl's homicide. "Blood" works fine as a psychography of the two protagonists and it is more of a family drama than a veritable crime film. Of course, there is a plot, that involves one of the siblings' colleague, Robert (Mark Strong), suspecting Joe and setting out to find the truth behind Buliegh's sudden disappearance. Strong does also a fine job in a secondary role, playing Robert with a subtlety that makes the character likeable.

Joe played magnificently by Bettany, is portrayed as the more cynic of the two, maybe because he has more to lose than Chrissie, being a husband and a father of a teenage girl. Chrissie, on the other hand, exhibits a more volatile behavior always appearing to be just one step from completely breaking down and confessing the crime. The family dynamics, involving Joe, Chrissie, and their demented father is the sole focus of the director, so do not expect a highly suspenseful crime/thriller. Nevertheless, the suspense is kept alive throughout the movie's running time, though in a low-intensity level. The finale is sad, though fitting the film's overall mood and character. The chance of redemption is dying out once and for all for Joe.who is brave enough though to finally confess his misdeed in order to save his father. If you enjoy films that center around similar themes, I believe that "Blood" will appeal to you. If not, better skip it.

Why wasn't this on ITV?

[FlashCallahan · 4/10 · 18 May 2014]

Takeaway the amazing cast, and what you get is just another Sunday night detective potboiler that ITV would show, and a few people would talk about it the next day, and then it would be repeated and then forgot about.

Basically, a girl is found dead, they arrest the bloke from Pramface who has a past and has now turned to god. But the thing is, he was in contact with the girl beforehand.

The two leading detectives get a little merry one night, kidnap the suspect because they think he might break into confessing. Things get a little out of hand, and they inadvertently kill him.

Now they have to inspect the crime that they committed.

It's all about family, and how a massive incident can affect the balance of them and those around them. It's just done in such a bland way, that even the brilliant performances from all concerned, cannot stop from boredom looming on the horizon.

Cox pops up every now and again as a boozy, dementia affected father, making the film more watchable, but then someone mentions a bacon sandwich and he wanders off.

All in all, its a wonderful first act, very gritty and real, but then it goes all formulaic.

A waste of a brilliant cast really.

Absolutely astonishing film. A must see if you like true crime dramas.

[gamesplayerone · 8/10 · 1 February 2014]

Rarely does a movie come along that slips under the radar of the movie goers of the world that is as poignant as Blood. I know people have a habit of watching Blockbusters and judging all movies based on the salary of the actors and the budget of the film. Blood is proof, yet again, that a movie doesn't have to be high budget to be beyond great. I very rarely rate movies as most people don't really pay much attention to the actual review that is associated with the rating. The entire cast and crew of this movie were exemplary and deserve the accolades that go along with it. I have a new benchmark to base all crime dramas off of now thanks to this great and powerful movie.

Why did I watch this?

[texas_mom39 · 6/10 · 26 October 2018]

Amazing actors, but the storyline was not for me. Grim, dark, horribly depressing.

A first rate cast is wasted on paper thin material

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 4/10 · 19 July 2013]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

A young girl is found murdered in an English coastal town, and the pressure's on for detective brothers Joe (Paul Bettany) and Chrissie (Stephen Graham) to find the killer. When the prime suspect walks free, Joe and Chrissie abduct him and try to force a confession out of him, in the style of their old school, domineering father Lenny (Brian Cox) in his day, only for things to go wrong. Now, they find themselves trapped in a ticking time bomb, as the net closes in on them, with the diligent Detective Seymour (Mark Strong) putting the pieces together.

Adapted from a TV series called Confession, this noticeably small scale production would have the production values to match it's source material. In spite of this, there some undeniably top rate, modern talent at work here that had the potential to really shine if their ability really matched what they were given to work with. Sadly, rather than keep you really riveted with what's going on and how it's going to turn out, Blood simply chugs along in a perfunctory manner, never having the bite or the spark to make the most of what it is. It's biggest mistake is probably killing off the mystery element, and instead of leaving you to guess whether the brothers really did it, puts you in on the act from the beginning Columbo style.

As stated, this thoroughly low key piece has a top name cast to it, the kind that never abandoned artistic integrity for cheap selling out, and they still invest their all in it, with strong turns from Bettany and an explosive Graham, even if his cockney accent is over-powered (as in every other such role he's played) at times by his strong scouse brogue. Even in a supporting role, Cox still possesses a presence and intensity that allows him to shine through. Sadly, none of their superior thesping can save this hollow and undelivering piece. **

Pretty Good Film If A Little Melodramatic in Parts.

[redrobin62-321-207311 · 7/10 · 6 February 2020]

I really want to give this film a 6 because it's a nice little thriller well-photographed. The pacing was fine as far as thrillers go. In fact, the overall bluish look of gloom made it resemble a Scandinavian noir thriller, a genre that intrigues me to no end. I rated it 7, however, because I think it's worth seeing. If you miss it, that's okay, too, because it really isn't a 'must see.' As a side note, if I had a crybaby spineless little brother like that, he'd be the first to get a bullet from me. Just saying.

a watchable thriller

[thewalkingpuns · 6/10 · 2 March 2023]

Blood is a movie that has a lot going on. It is an enjoyable movie with the cast thats strong and is also easy to understand whats going on, I just feel it does not fit together in certain parts. In this movie paul bettany and stephen grapham play brothers joe and chrissie who are detectives and have to investigate the murder of a young girl, but after something happens they end up investigating a crime that they themselves caused. Brian cox plays lenny their father and is good in his role brian always takes roles well. Mark strong is also in this as a fellow detective and is once again brilliant as always and finally naomi battrick as pauls daughter a strong cast overall with many good elements makes blood a watchable and enjoyable film.

Not bad but lacks something to make it really good.

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 22 January 2023]

I read somewhere that this movie came from a series (Conviction) and that's how Blood feels like, like it could have been a tv mini-series. Blood is certainly not a bad movie but it misses something to make it great. A bit more suspense, twists, and drama could have made it better. The cast was good though. With actors like Paul Bettany, Stephen Graham and Mark Strong you know there will be quality acting. The story is easy to follow so pefect if you're looking for easy entertainment. Too bad they didn't add a couple very suspenseful scenes to make it stand out from the rest. Now it's just a British drama with a slight thriller touch.

I can only hope the miniseries (2004) was (will be) better.

[punishmentpark · 3/10 · 22 June 2015]

Great actors, interesting (though it could go anywhere, but it took plenty of intriguing turns) premise, okay cinematography, yes, yes, yes... bút: 'Blood' failed quite miserably all in all.

The main problem is that there is so much crammed into only ninety minutes that it is simply impossible to take. All of the ideas have potential, but hardly any of them come out right.

After seeing this one, I found out there was a 360 minutes miniseries years before on which this was based ('Conviction'), I hope I'll be able to find it somewhere, hoping it will turn out to be just the appropriate form - and that the acting will be (at least) just as good.

3 out of 10, mostly for the acting.

P.s. I was really taken with the small, small supporting role by Adrian Edmonson - when's he going to get a lead in something significant?!

Top Cast! Pity About the Dull Storyline!

[spookyrat1 · 5/10 · 17 June 2022]

Wondering why I'd never heard of this remake of the 2004 BBC television mini series Conviction, despite its obviously talented and well - known cast, realisation soon dawned on me, less than half - way through its mercifully brief running time of 92 minutes. Simultaneously a wave of relief washed over me, knowing that at least I wasn't sentenced to survive the 6 hour original show.

Blood is an extremely predictable, cliche - ridden, quite depressing melodrama. The title of this plodding so - called thriller refers I suppose, to both the brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl, whose body is discovered in the movie's opening minutes and to the relationship between the two cop brothers responsible for the subsequent investigation and their dad, a retired police inspector now afflicted with dementia.

Focusing little on either the victim or the police procedures involved, the brother officers played well, by Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham soon feel they have their perpetrator. However they are less than enthused when informed by the police prosecutor, that their case is lacking in hard evidence. Their father (a convincing turn from Brian Cox) was well known back in the day for supposedly securing convictions through an ample use of physical force. Joe and Chrissie are soon wondering whether they should follow suit, especially Bettany's edgy, quick to anger, Joe.

The main problem with the movie is that there a just no surprises in the narrative. We've seen this sort of dreary stuff plenty of times before, with angry cops, close to losing the plot, treading a fine line between the right and wrong sides of the law. There are too many sequences of officers getting drunk and arguing with various family members. The performances are all strong (Mark Strong is always welcome), but this bleak thriller about morality and guilt suffers from a muddled plot that lacks context for the troubled behaviour of its characters. The result will leave viewers colder than the windswept coastal landscapes, which are the primary external locations.

'You can't bury the truth.'

[gradyharp · 8/10 · 21 July 2013]

BLOOD as written by Bill Gallagher and directed by Nick Murphy is a dark psychological drama set in Hilbre Island, Wirral, Merseyside, England: the setting is almost as important as the story. Unlike other thriller dramas based on good cop/bad cop concepts, this story is about a family of policemen and how they deal with crime and the ramifications of their actions as preservers of justice. It probes deeply into the crisis of a small family and manages to keep a tight grip on the audience's attention throughout.

Joe Fairburn (Paul Bettany) and his younger brother Chrissie Fairburn (Stephen Graham) are the sons of retired policeman Lenny Fairburn (Brian Cox) who despite his advancing senility still comes around the police station to relive the old days. The brothers are investigating the brutal murder of a young girl found bludgeoned on the streets. The chief suspect is one Jason Buleigh (Ben Crompton) who despite a criminal record seems to be covering his old life with a religious one, a turn that pleases his supportive mother (Sandra Voe). But mounting evidence of finding Jason's photographs of young girls in his room convinces Joe and Chrissie that Jason is guilty despite the fact that their fellow policeman Robert Seymour (Mark Strong) doesn't feel the evidence is strong enough to keep Jason arrested. The brothers take the law into their own hands and in an attempt to get a confession from Jason, Joe has him dig a hole in the beach sand, and in a terrifying moment Jason (in the process of being buried) confesses and Joe's mind goes berserk and he kills Jason with a shovel. From this point on the brothers begin meltdown: they bury the body and destroy all evidence, Chrissie's girlfriend Jemma (Zoë Tapper) finally hears the truth, the true killer of the murdered girl are found and arrested, Joe is discovered to be the killer of Jason, and the once tight family disintegrates - plunging into tragedy.

The plot line is tangled at times by subplots that don't develop but in fact that leads to the sense of mental confusion both brothers carry, having committed a crime as cops, burying the evidence only to attempt to distract the truth of the deed that leads to failures. Bettany, Graham and Cox are strong in their roles as is Mark Strong in the rather small role he is given. This is a dark film, well acted, with an interesting turn in the tales of how cops face their own actions.

Grady Harp

What a waste of a great cast!

[leonblackwood · 3/10 · 15 June 2013]

Review: I realty tried to get into this movie, but I found it hard to keep up with what was going on. I understood the main concept, but as for the rest, I didn't have a clue. Anyway, its good to see some of Britain top class actors working together, but its the movie that coke have been so much better. None of the characters are able to shine because the film us based around an investigation were you know exactly what happened so the whole mystery is aspect is gone. Its just a case of catch up so you end up sticking with the movie to see what happens. If this movie had any other actor in it, it would be easily forgotten, but it wasn't totally bad. Average!

Round-Up: You usually see actors like Mark Strong, Paul Bettany and Brian Cox in big Hollywood blockbusters so its good that they have come together on a British film. Shame it want a better one though! I'm yet to see Mark Strong play a leading role were he can really show his acting skills, because I do rate him as an actor. I can see this movie going under the radar because it didn't get a lot of money pumped into the distribution. Just another straight to DVD let down.

Awful movie, lots of crying

[thefonz1 · 2/10 · 10 June 2013]

I was unlucky enough to watch this dire movie last night. Lots of horrible unlikeable people being not very nice. The story is simple enough about two brothers who are on the police force who murder and bury an innocent man. Paul Bettany plays the eldest of the brothers and spends the rest of the movie freaking out and crying, he has no charisma and just comes over as a stupid man. The usually dependable Brian Cox plays Bettany's father an ex policeman who is suffering from dementia and likes bacon sandwiches.It is because of his boasting that the two brothers become murderers but you are never sure why they did it in this case. I only watched this movie out of spite because I paid to watch it. If you have the chance, don't bother.

Don't bother

[gp-45114 · 4/10 · 6 March 2022]

Apart from the reliable Brian Cox I don't know the cast, but if they're as good as people say then this movie has succeeded in maying them look ordinary . The plot was hard to believe and overall i found it unconvincing. It just didn't come together.

Worth The Watch

[roosindustries · 8/10 · 18 July 2015]

i was looking for something with a bit of grit and I found it in this movie.The acting was very good and the plot was interesting and suspenseful.The characters and the darkness of the movie all contributed to the feel of the movie which left me invested in the characters and how the investigation would play out and affect the lives of those involved. The acting by Paul Bettany and Stephen Graham was intense and the relationship between the two brothers was well developed. I liked the fact it had an ending which completed the story as there is nothing worse than watching a movie and they don't deliver the whole spectrum of the story. Definitely worth the watch.

Excellent

[philipc-52613 · 10/10 · 23 April 2020]

Great actors, great story line , great cinema , suspense to the max . Watch this !

Blown Away

[skye-richards · 8/10 · 11 July 2019]

I seldom find British detective movies any good, apart from Sherlock there isn't alot to be a fan of. This movie was based on a 2004 TV series called Conviction.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find that series anywhere but It is clear that the writer and director were huge fans of the series and wanted to do it justice. There is a great sense of passion and respect for the storyline and the actors truly seem honoured to be a part of the movie and gave it their all.

I loved this movie, it was tense and mysterious, and maintaned that feeling through out. I was glad to see some familiar faces in the cast from some of my favourite movies and series. The acting was brilliant, the storyline was engaging and the cinematography was captivating.

Every scene had a purpose and no time was wasted as the story developed, I found myself completely losing track of time. The style of story telling and the underlying dread of the story reminded me of Black Mirror, which I also love.

I cannot praise this movie enough and it makes me sad that it has a rating below 7 or 8 because it deserves so much more, any crime drama fan should give this movie a fair chance.