The Big Ugly

Name: The Big Ugly
Director: Scott Wiper
Released: 2020

Scott Wiper

2020

Synopsis

Neeyln has always been the loyal enforcer for crime boss Harris back in London, taking care of problems and people that disrupt his illicit business. When Harris strikes a deal with an old friend -- American oilman Preston -- they find themselves in the wild hills of West Virginia. Contracts are signed and the whiskey flows in celebration, but overnight Neelyn's girlfriend disappears, last seen with Preston's wayward son Junior. Lines are drawn between family and friends, but nothing will stop Neelyn from getting answers -- and retribution.

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Recommendations

88
Chicago Sun-Times
A wildly entertaining, over-the-top, blood-soaked, noir-Western from director/co-writer Scott Wiper that’s filled with stunning visuals of the breathtaking and sometimes foreboding countryside (with Morehead, Kentucky, standing in for West Virginia) and searing performances from the ensemble cast.
75
Film Threat
The Big Ugly is a fascinating beast. While the premise of the film sounds annoyingly trite, writer-director Scott Wiper develops an engaging batch of characters.
67
Austin Chronicle
While not exactly rote, the script undeniably feels a little derivative in places.
40
The Guardian
It plays like several plots, genres and mood boards all mashed together, which makes the end result interesting but not entirely successful.
40
Time Out
It’s oh-so-familiar terrain, yet writer-director Scott Wiper lets a deadening sense of inertia creep in, leaving the payoff feeling like a Guy Ritchie movie played at the wrong speed.
40
The Hollywood Reporter
What makes The Big Ugly watchable are the authentic locations and the veteran actors who bring admirable conviction to their tough guy roles.
38
Movie Nation
Stupid scene follows bloated speech, all the way through to a finale set up to go off, but which fizzles like soggy fireworks.