This brutal film is based on a novel by pulp fiction writer Jim Thompson. A small-town lawman (a convincing Casey Affleck) harbours a dark secret: beneath his calm demeanour, he’s a sadistic, murdering son-of-a-bitch. Although its unflinching violence makes for stomach-churning viewing, the film’s an emotionally hollow experience. Director Michael Winterbottom has at least made an attention-grabber.