WARNING: MOVIE RATED R for language and violence

“Mystic River” (2003) is an intense murder mystery full of twists and turns. 

When Katie (Emmy Rossum), the daughter of Jimmy Markum (Sean Penn), is murdered, he becomes reunited with two childhood friends. As Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon) conducts a formal investigation into the murder, Jimmy takes action into his own hands in an attempt to avenge his daughter. 

The movie follows three childhood friends, including Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins), who was abducted and molested by fake police officers when he was young. The movie then implements a large time jump, and we end up about 30 years later. In the present day of the movie, the audience follows the three characters as they deal with and grieve the death of Katie Markum. Being the last known person to see her alive, Dave becomes a prime suspect of the investigation. While the police, led by detective Devine and Sergeant Whitey (Laurence Fishburne), conduct their investigation, Jimmy Markum employs his cousins to interrogate and harass any potential suspect for information on the murder. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. The movie starts out very dark and sinister, and it develops into a complex murder mystery. The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The thrill that it gives you is amazing; it has you on your toes the entirety of the film. The directing masterclass of Clint Eastwood is fully displayed in this motion picture!