Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2013

In the ’70s and ’80s, homicidal sociopath Richard Kukinski wisely channeled his unique talents into a highly successful career as a mob hit man, coldly icing more than 100 unfortunate targets. What made him remarkable (and so filmable) was the fact that his adoring wife (a good Winona Ryder) and two daughters never had the slightest inkling of what he really did for a living. That’s some major compartmentalization. What makes this gritty and gripping true-crime biopic worth watching is an intense Michael Shannon in the title role, exuding palpable menace in every scene not involving his family. (106 min)