The 2012 crime thriller Lawless, featuring acclaimed British actors Gary Oldman and Tom Hardy, is once again widely available for audiences in the UK and Ireland to rent or buy online. The film, which also stars Shia LaBeouf, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, and Mia Wasikowska, has garnered renewed attention as it becomes accessible on various digital platforms.
Described by Esquire as a “gritty, violent Southern Gothic gangster film with plenty of flair,” Lawless is set in Virginia in 1931, during America’s Prohibition era. It tells the true story-inspired tale of the notorious Bondurant brothers – Forrest (Tom Hardy), Howard (Jason Clarke), and Jack (Shia LaBeouf) – who run a successful bootlegging operation, producing and selling illegal moonshine.
What is Lawless About?
The central conflict of Lawless arises when corrupt lawman Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce) arrives in town and demands a cut of the brothers’ profits. Forrest, known for his formidable reputation, refuses to comply, leading to an increasingly violent battle for control. Meanwhile, the youngest brother, Jack, harbours ambitions of expanding the family business, which brings him into contact with dangerous Chicago gangster Floyd Banner, played by Gary Oldman. As rivalries intensify, the brothers discover that protecting their empire could come at a significant cost.
Cosmopolitan suggests the film will appeal to fans of period crime thrillers like Peaky Blinders and Boardwalk Empire, highlighting its themes of “family loyalty, double-crossing and plenty of bloody confrontations.” Tom Hardy portrays Forrest Bondurant, the intimidating middle brother, while Gary Oldman takes on the role of Floyd Banner, a powerful figure whose dealings add further layers of danger to the Bondurants’ already complicated lives.
Critical Reception
Upon its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Lawless received largely positive reviews. The film currently holds an approval rating of 67 per cent on the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critical consensus praised it as “beautifully filmed and powerfully acted.”
Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly remarked that the film “has the kick of a mule,” while Peter Travers of Rolling Stone called it “a solid outlaw adventure.” Chuck Bowen of Slant Magazine referred to it as a “compellingly nutty” gangster film, further underscoring its impact.
How to Watch Lawless in the UK
For those eager to revisit or discover the crime thriller, Lawless is readily available to rent or buy digitally. UK viewers can find the film on major platforms including Amazon Video, Apple TV+, and Sky Store.
