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By Any Means poster

By Any Means

Movie 2026 107 min MA 15+ History, Crime, Drama, Thriller
AMU 16+ *

Our take

This R-rated historical crime thriller follows a Black FBI agent and a mafia hitman investigating 1960s civil-rights murders in Mississippi. The rating cites pervasive language and bloody violence. Best for mature teens and adults ready for racial injustice and crime themes.

Uplifting themes

Bratton frames the film as confronting injustice within a broken system. The unlikely partnership may offer commentary on moral compromise in pursuit of truth Agent Wayne Strider seeks justice for murdered activists, but his partner is a notorious mafia hitman. Role models are complicated at best The film draws from real 1960s civil-rights murders and FBI-mafia cooperation during the CI-34 investigation era. Families interested in civil-rights history may find discussion value

Story (may spoil tone)

In 1960s Mississippi, young Black FBI agent Wayne Strider is sent to investigate a wave of brutal killings targeting civil rights leaders. Forced to work alongside notorious mafia hitman Greg Scarpa, Strider finds himself pulled into a deadly hunt where the lines of justice and vengeance begin to blur.

Violence
Strong
Language
Strong
Sex / nudity
Drugs / alcohol
Frightening
Strong
Self-harm / suicide
Sexual violence
Child peril / abuse
Bullying / discrimination
Strong
Gore / death / weapons
Moderate
Dangerous behaviour
Moderate
Eating disorders / body image
Mental health
Gambling
Grief / bereavement
Moderate

Details

Violence Strong Based on real 1966 Mississippi killings of civil-rights leaders, the st…

Based on real 1966 Mississippi killings of civil-rights leaders, the story promises shootouts, confrontations, and a deadly hunt. Trailers show gunfire and physical intimidation as an FBI agent partners with a mob hitman

Language Strong Pervasive language is explicitly cited in the rating. The 1960s Mississ…

Pervasive language is explicitly cited in the rating. The 1960s Mississippi setting and mob-FBI partnership suggest harsh dialogue throughout

Sex / nudity No sex found in this title

No sex found in this title

Drugs / alcohol No drugs found in this title

No drugs found in this title

Frightening Strong Director Elegance Bratton told Variety the story confronts a broken sys…

Director Elegance Bratton told Variety the story confronts a broken system where truth comes at a cost. Real historical killings of civil-rights leaders may feel deeply unsettling

Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title

No self-harm found in this title

Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title

No sexual violence found in this title

Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title

No child peril found in this title

Bullying / discrimination Strong The plot is rooted in 1960s racial violence against civil-rights leader…

The plot is rooted in 1960s racial violence against civil-rights leaders. Giancarlo Esposito plays Vernon Dahmer, a real activist targeted by white supremacists. Discrimination and hate are historical context, not comic backdrop

Gore / death / weapons Moderate Bloody images are cited in the rating. Trailers feature firearms and th…

Bloody images are cited in the rating. Trailers feature firearms and the aftermath of targeted killings

Dangerous behaviour Moderate The FBI-mafia partnership models extralegal violence as a path to justi…

The FBI-mafia partnership models extralegal violence as a path to justice. Parents may want to discuss how the film frames vigilantism versus lawful investigation

Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title

No eating found in this title

Mental health No mental health found in this title

No mental health found in this title

Gambling No gambling found in this title

No gambling found in this title

Grief / bereavement Moderate Families and communities mourning murdered civil-rights leaders are imp…

Families and communities mourning murdered civil-rights leaders are implicit in the true-story setup