By Lynn Venhaus

A grueling and gritty crime-action drama set during the 1930s, “The Weight” benefits from a superb Ethan Hawke performance – both physically and emotionally – with a sly turn from Russell Crowe as a cagey opportunist.

Reminiscent of survival-driven suspense movies like ‘70s throwbacks “Deliverance” in the South and William Friedkin’s “Sorcerer” in South America, and more recently, Spike Lee’s “Da Five Bloods” in Vietnam, this is a slow-burn tale about tough people in tough times involving a heist scheme.

Four years into the Great Depression, Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke), a battle-scarred veteran of World War I and single father, is an honorable man of few words but strong in love for his young daughter Penny (an adorable Avy Berry). His mechanical and military skills barely keep them afloat, and they are evicted from their apartment.

While they seek an affordable place to live, he scuffles with corrupt cops, in self-defense, but he’s sent to prison. Working on a road gang, the resourceful Murphy catches the eye of shady warden Clancy — Crowe in fine form — who offers him a deal: early release for hauling a fortune in stolen gold bars across 100 miles of wilderness. If he doesn’t, Penny may be adopted by the time he gets out.

Why the secret assignment? Another crooked lawman, Taggert (Alec Newman), has concocted a way to transport gold, because FDR is shutting mines down to use the gold for the federal government. What’s a half ton of gold bricks conveniently taken when no one’s looking? The weighty loads are to be dropped off at a pickup point, then Clancy will sign their release papers. What could go wrong?

Hawke does the heavy lifting here as a smart problem-solver who becomes the de facto leader of the prison workers, enlisting his fellow convicts Singh (Avi Nash), Olson (Lucus Lynggaard Tonnesen), and sketchy Rankin (Austin Amelio) as part of the courier crew. These downtrodden guys evoke the dire depressive times, and you feel their desperation and pain. And they’re wary of each other.

Padraic McKinley, who is making his feature film debut as a director, has worked as a producer and editor before, including the 2020 TV limited series “The Good Lord Bird,” featuring Hawke, and in the 2019 TV limited series “The Loudest Voice,” with Crowe as Roger Ailes.

McKinley takes his time setting up the mission, and there are uneven pacing issues throughout. The story itself is compelling – although not as satisfying as it could have been. Co-writers Matthew Booi, Shelby Gaines and Leo Scherman build tension and relationships through the endangered men.

The six-day journey, under the watchful eye of compromised gun-toting prison guards Amis (Sam Hazeldine) and thuggish Letender (George Burgess) is arduous – physically demanding and nerve-wracking.

Nature is hazardous enough, but a rickety bridge over a deep gorge, a harrowing shootout with locals, and a perilous river crossing ratchets up the intensity. That leads to stronger bonds with these scrappy guys. Actors Amelio and Nash, both veterans of “The Walking Dead,” eventually become helpful partners.

Along the way they meet Anna (Julia Jones), an Indigenous woman who has escaped from a cruel situation. She is enlisted to cook and help them navigate the rough terrain, becoming their secret weapon multiple times despite some degrading treatment. Even though her part is slim, Jones shows how Anna can hold her own in a white man’s world.

As Murphy faces every setback as a challenge to the freedom endgame, Hawke, 55, grounds the film with his integrity and desire to get back to his daughter. Oscar acting nominee for “Training Day,” “Boyhood” and “Blue Moon,” he continues to show his diverse range and versatility among genres. Acting since he was 14, his physicality here is remarkable and his emotional journey is telegraphed naturally. His weathered, bruised and battered face tells you everything.

Cinematographer Matteo Cocco vividly captures the Pacific Northwest while composers Latham Gaines, along with his brother and co-screenwriter Shelby Gaines, enhance the atmosphere with an industrial score, especially as the suspense tightens. Both costume designer Esther Walz and production designer Cora Pratz impeccably depict the period.

The film premiered at this year’s earlier Sundance Film Festival. Its final act is thrilling, so much so that it almost makes up for the story’s shortcomings. But it’s Hawke’s standout performance that will linger long after “The Weight” ends.

“The Weight” is a 2026 crime-action period drama directed by Padraic McKinley and starring Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash, Julia Jones, Lucus Lynggaard Tonnesen, Avy Berry, Sam Hazeldine, George Burgess and Alec Newman. The runtime is 1 hour, 55 minutes, and it’s rated R for language and some violence/bloody images. It opens in theaters Sept. 18. Lynn’s Grade: B-

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