Director Rod Blackhurst, winner of the 2016 Tribeca Audience Award for Here Alone, returns with a crime thriller about how far one man will go to provide for his family. Cliff (Scoot McNairy), a down-at-luck traveling salesman, loses his job before an opportunity presents itself by way of his old colleague, Ricky (Kit Harington). He is rightly hesitant but, running out of options, has no choice but to take Ricky up on the offer. He soon discovers he will be running drugs and guns across state lines for cartel leader John (Josh Lucas). During what should have been an easy assignment, Ricky shows his true colors, throwing both himself and Cliff into a fight for survival.
Blood for Dust utilizes each of its main actors to their highest potential. McNairy brings a humanity to Cliff and we can’t help being on his side the whole way. Josh Lucas has never been scarier, and Kit Harrington gives a career-best performance — viewers will be stunned by his onscreen persona. Blackhurst has crafted a unique film that gets to the heart of one man, and with outstanding mise-en-scène, this is a film you won’t soon forget.––Paul Struthers