Blood for Dust

By: MJ Asuncion

A traveling salesman chases the “American Dream” in the slow burn crime thriller Blood for Dust. Cliff (Scoot McNairy) has left a mysterious past behind in an attempt at an honest living, in order to provide for his wife Amy (Nora Zehetner). Sales are down and so are Cliff’s spirits as he struggles to make ends meet. Soon after losing his latest job, he unexpectedly reconnects with an old colleague who offers him an opportunity to make “real money.” This chance encounter with Ricky (Kit Harrington) changes the trajectory of his life.

Ricky is a man without morals, always looking for a way to make the easy payout regardless of the costs. After reluctantly accepting Ricky’s offer to join a smuggling ring run by a violent cartel leader (Josh Lucas), Cliff finds himself back on the road accompanied by Slim (Ethan Suplee) for his first delivery run. Slim is one of the smugglers who has been selected to keep an eye on Cliff in case he gets too ambitious with the cargo. Though Cliff is on high alert, things seem to be going smoothly until Ricky intercepts the duo at the delivery. This is where the tension escalates, as an unhinged Ricky takes the driver’s seat. This new plan to double cross the operation puts Cliff in an impossible position with dangerous consequences.

Blood for Dust takes us along for the ride in Cliff’s Oldsmobile on the open desolate highways of 90’s Western America. The film is filled with many compelling performances, led by Scott McNairy and Kit Harrington. The movie gives us one of Harrington’s best portrayals and a memorable onscreen persona. Josh Lucas is also a standout in a small and almost unrecognizable scene-stealing part.

Director and Producer Rod Blackhurst is best known for Amanda Knox, the Emmy and Critics Choice nominated Netflix original documentary. He is also known for his debut narrative feature film Here Alone, the winner of the 2016 Tribeca Audience Award. He returns to Tribeca with his latest narrative Blood for Dust, which was produced by Witchcraft Motion Picture Company, the film and television studio he runs with partner Noah Lang. Blackhurst’s expert use of various camera angles and framing, along with the masterful work of editor Justin Oakey, helped to create the cinematic old-fashioned thriller.

Blood for Dust focuses heavily on character development, with action and intense violence sparingly punctuated throughout the film. Though Cliff’s character isn’t really noble or honest, there is something that draws you to him and you’re silently hoping he will triumph. The noir delivers suspense in layered storytelling with a strong ensemble cast, and these elements made it a gratifying watch.