Sometimes, you have to work with someone you would normally never want to share a room with. In By Any Means, an FBI agent and a notorious mob hitman are forced to put their differences aside to achieve a common goal. Set against the backdrop of the racist American South in the 1960s, the film delivers a crime drama that tackles heavy subject matter without constantly overwhelming its audience. Although it does not always succeed in building tension or delivering the thrills you might expect, the story remains engaging enough to hold your attention.
By Any Means: An Unlikely Partnership
Directed by Elegance Bratton, By Any Means takes place in Mississippi in 1966. Young FBI agent Wayne Strider, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, investigates a series of violent attacks against civil rights activists. As the investigation progresses, it becomes increasingly clear just how deeply racism is embedded in the local community and the institutions of power. A conventional approach seems unlikely to get the job done.
The solution is to enlist Gregory Scarpa, played by Mark Wahlberg, a violent mob hitman who also works as an FBI informant. While Strider attempts to follow the law and maintain his moral principles, Scarpa is someone who has little regard for rules or consequences.
It is a premise that lends itself perfectly to a story about justice, power, and how far someone should be willing to go to achieve a goal. At the same time, it is a familiar setup: two completely different personalities are forced to work together and eventually learn to appreciate each other's strengths.
Two Opposites Without Overplayed Clichés
One of the most welcome aspects of By Any Means is that it does not constantly exaggerate the differences between its two leading characters. Naturally, Strider and Scarpa are polar opposites. One tries to operate within the rules, while the other sees violence and intimidation as useful tools. Their partnership inevitably creates friction.
However, the film never feels as though every scene exists solely to emphasize that contrast. Instead, the dynamic between the two men develops gradually, giving their relationship enough room to feel believable.
That is a significant advantage. The story could easily have fallen into predictable confrontations, cheap insults, and the usual moments in which two opposites suddenly come to understand each other completely. By Any Means largely avoids those pitfalls.
The chemistry between Abdul-Mateen II and Wahlberg helps considerably. Their characters approach the world differently, but the film does not constantly turn those differences into caricatures. The tension between Strider's need for control and Scarpa's willingness to push boundaries provides an interesting foundation for their partnership.
Heavy Themes Without Overwhelming the Story
The subjects explored in By Any Means are anything but light. Racism, intimidation, violence, and the systematic oppression of Black Americans form the backdrop of the story. The film illustrates how difficult it can be to achieve justice when the very institutions responsible for upholding the law are themselves part of a corrupt or discriminatory system.
These are heavy themes, but the film generally strikes a good balance. The social and historical context is always present, giving the story weight without turning every scene into an explicit lesson in history or politics.
This leaves room for the characters and the events that drive the narrative forward. The film does not constantly need to explain why the situation is serious; the circumstances largely speak for themselves.
That does not mean By Any Means explores every subject with equal depth. At times, the film seems more interested in the dramatic possibilities of its premise than in the full complexity of the historical events. Nevertheless, the combination of social commentary and an accessible crime narrative works better than you might expect.
A Straightforward Story That Keeps You Engaged
Anyone looking for a complicated plot filled with unexpected twists will not find themselves constantly on the edge of their seat with By Any Means. The story follows a relatively straightforward path, and its overall direction is often easy to anticipate.
That does not necessarily make it a problem. A story does not have to be constantly surprising to remain interesting. The circumstances surrounding the characters and the decisions they make are enough to maintain your investment in their mission.
The film also manages to maintain a reasonable pace. There is a clear objective, the stakes are high, and the relationship between Strider and Scarpa provides enough reasons to remain curious about how things will unfold.
Because the narrative does not become unnecessarily complicated, the focus remains on the characters and their interactions. This is not a film that constantly tries to mislead its audience. Instead, it takes viewers step by step into an increasingly uncomfortable situation.
The downside is that certain developments feel predictable. Anyone familiar with crime dramas and stories about unlikely partnerships will not encounter much that feels genuinely new. Fortunately, the film largely compensates for this with its intriguing premise and the moral dilemmas that emerge from it.
Why the Thriller Elements Fall Short
Although By Any Means has plenty to offer as a crime drama, it is less convincing as a thriller. The film features violence, threats, and confrontations, but it does not always build the kind of tension you would expect from this material.
The historical context and the seriousness of the events establish high stakes. However, high stakes do not automatically make every scene suspenseful. The film often prioritizes character development and narrative progression, allowing the thriller elements to fade into the background.
That is not necessarily the wrong choice. A film about systemic racism and the limits of justice does not need to be a constant succession of suspenseful moments. However, because By Any Means also presents itself as a crime thriller, expectations in that department are naturally higher.
The result is a film that remains interesting primarily because of the situation its main characters find themselves in and the way they respond to it. Suspense is present, but it is rarely the film's strongest element.
When Justice and Revenge Become Difficult to Separate
One of the most interesting aspects of By Any Means is the way its protagonists push their own moral boundaries. The partnership between an FBI agent and a hired killer raises an important question: how far can someone go with violence when the conventional justice system fails?
Scarpa represents an approach in which the ends appear to justify the means. Strider initially stands closer to the belief that justice only has meaning when pursued within certain boundaries. But as circumstances become increasingly desperate, the distinction between their respective approaches becomes less straightforward than it first appears.
The film allows its protagonists to cross some significant lines, which creates compelling moments but also raises questions about what By Any Means is ultimately trying to say.
Is the film suggesting that violence sometimes seems to be the only way to fight a corrupt system? Is it warning us about the dangers of allowing individuals to decide for themselves what justice means? Or is it primarily illustrating how difficult it can be to maintain moral principles when your opponent refuses to play by the rules?
These are interesting questions, but the film does not always provide clear answers. As a result, some of its moral dilemmas remain unresolved. The themes might have carried more weight if the film had explored the consequences of the protagonists' decisions more thoroughly and shown how they themselves respond to those consequences.
That is a missed opportunity, because this is where By Any Means could have distinguished itself from a more conventional crime film. It touches on compelling ideas but does not always develop them enough to leave a lasting impression.
Final Verdict: By Any Means Is a Solid Crime Drama
By Any Means is not a film that succeeds on every level. The story is fairly straightforward, the thriller elements are not particularly strong, and its moral message occasionally feels unclear. However, these shortcomings are not enough to dismiss the film.
The combination of serious social themes, an interesting central partnership, and a story that remains engaging despite its predictability makes this a solid crime drama. The film's ability to avoid many of the usual clichés associated with two completely different characters working together is particularly effective.
The balance between its serious subject matter and the progression of the narrative is another strength. By Any Means takes its themes seriously without forgetting that it also needs to tell a story that keeps its audience invested.
Ultimately, the feeling remains that the film could have achieved more. A stronger sense of suspense and a clearer exploration of its moral dilemmas could have made it considerably more impactful. As it stands, By Any Means is an engaging but not particularly surprising viewing experience.
Rating: 7/10
