At one point while watching By Any Means, I caught myself smiling. The movie is not a comedy, the story takes place in 1966. A time when phones were tethered to walls, cars were boxy, big, slow, and difficult to handle, laptops and even computers were not a thing, and people read physical files, cameras were bulky, and their flashes made a distinct pop.
I couldn’t help but think how fascinating it would be for Gen Z or Gen Alpha to watch this film, to wrap their heads around the technology of that era and, more importantly, to witness how deeply divided America was in the 1960s.
Directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn, By Any Means is a historical crime thriller set in 1966. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Beharie, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, and Giancarlo Esposito.
The story follows a young Black FBI agent who teams up with notorious New York mafia hitman Greg Scarpa to investigate the murders of civil rights leaders in Mississippi. It’s a premise that tries to blend history with crime drama; does it work?
First of all, this is “based on true events" but we will be examining the film, not the historical element of the story.
Atmosphere and direction
The art direction is impressive. The film doesn’t try to make everything look artificially "old." Instead, it plants you firmly in the 1960s, creating a world that feels lived-in yet fresh. The cars and room interiors look polished and new, the costumes pop, and the fashion choices distinguish characters with flair.
The cinematography embraces shadows, reminding us that streets and homes weren’t brightly lit at night in that era. There is a warmth to the lighting, especially at night, because obviously this was before LEDs took over. The film is also colourful, with vibrant tones that make the world feel alive rather than sepia-tinted nostalgia.
The opening sequence sets the tone brilliantly.
Archival footage drops us straight into the racial conflict of the time, then it's followed by a painfully brutal baseball-bat scene leading into a title sequence that sets you up for a film that is "based on a true story," but shaped by Hollywood's storytelling structure. Still, those first moments prepare you for the few intense moments to come, especially in the final act, where the violence steps up.
Violence and realism
The film’s approach to violence is what I expected based on what I saw in the promotional materials. The swings and punches have a sense of weight, blood looks believable, and the makeup design enhances the visual perception of torture.
There’s a psychological edge too, like a moment in the third act where a character is almost forced into actions that disturb both them and the audience. It’s dark, but it feels earned.
One particular incident involving Giancarlo Esposito’s character is brutal, and another scene with a female character left me genuinely saddened by the fact that that might have been the reality that African Americans had to live with during that period.
Performances
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II delivers the standout performance. His portrayal of a Black FBI agent in a time when even a badge couldn’t shield him from racism is rather generic but well thought out and executed.
His character evolves across the film, from his first encounter with Wahlberg’s Scarpa to who he becomes in the third act. The arc may lean on familiar Hollywood tropes, but I just went with it and thought it worked, and it's thanks to Yahya’s presence.
Mark Wahlberg's mobster persona, complete with a toothpick, glasses, rings, and leather suit, is both stylish and intriguing to follow. He brings charisma to Scarpa, making him fascinating to watch even in quieter moments.
A scene in the back of a car, shot from a low angle, captures him perfectly, toothpick at the corner of his mouth, speaking with the swagger of a man who knows he owns the room. It’s one of those instances where an actor fully embraces a role, and I thought it worked.
The chemistry between Yahya and Wahlberg is the film’s strength. Their dynamic carries the story, and watching their relationship evolve is as compelling as the action sequences in the third act. Nicole Beharie and Giancarlo Esposito add depth to the supporting cast, though the film doesn’t always give them enough space to shine.
Tone and structure
Here’s where my main gripe lies. The film struggles with tone. It wants to be both a historical drama about racism and a Hollywood action thriller. The balance isn’t always smooth.
At times, it feels like the filmmakers were torn between going full popcorn spectacle, machine guns blazing, villains toppled in slow motion, or full historical accuracy. Instead, they hover in the middle, and the tonal shifts are noticeable and frustrating.
The story structure and story beats are formulaic, generic, and surprisingly predictable; if you have ever watched any cop crime drama, there are moments you will see coming from a mile away.
The first hour is heavy on character development. We spend time following Yahya’s agent and Wahlberg’s Scarpa, though Scarpa’s background remains underdeveloped.
For action fans, this stretch might feel slow. The payoff comes in the last 30 minutes, where guns, cars, and torture finally take centre stage for a very short time. Basically, it’s a crime drama first, action second, and that may frustrate viewers expecting non-stop action.
Final thoughts
Despite its tonal imbalance, By Any Means is a good film, just good, slightly above average. The stylistic choices, costumes, set design, and use of colour make the world feel authentic, clean, and fresh, even if it's the 60s. The moments of violence are brutal but grounded, capturing both the physical and psychological toll of racism and crime.
Most of all, the performances elevate the material.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II embodies the struggle of a Black agent in hostile times, while Mark Wahlberg’s Scarpa is a stylish, unpredictable wild card. Their chemistry is the anchor, and watching their evolution is the film’s greatest asset.
If you can, don't wait for it on streaming; it works as a silver screen experience. By Any Means may not perfectly balance history and Hollywood, but it delivers a gripping story, memorable performances, and a world that feels both of its time and alive today.
