Movie Review: ‘By Any Means’ is a propulsive action thriller set against the Civil Rights Movement
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Paramount Pictures’ “By Any Means,” a historical crime thriller starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg, opens in U.S. theaters Friday, Sept. 4. Directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn, the film dramatizes the 1966 murder of Mississippi civil-rights leader Vernon Dahmer Sr. and the investigation. Wahlberg plays Gregory Scarpa, a real Colombo crime figure who served as an FBI informant, while Abdul-Mateen II plays Wayne Strider, a fictional composite Black FBI agent created for the film. FBI records confirm Dahmer’s home was firebombed by Ku Klux Klan members on Jan. 10, 1966, and that he died the following day. Federal historical records also document FBI Mississippi civil-rights investigations. The film takes substantial dramatic liberties, including the central agent and action sequences. Reviews are mixed, praising the performances and premise while criticizing tonal shifts, graphic violence and historical embellishment. The movie is rated R and runs 107 minutes.
More context
Timeline
- On January 10, 1966, Klansmen firebombed Dahmer’s home in Mississippi.
- On January 11, 1966, Vernon Dahmer died from injuries sustained.
- On January 21, 1966, FBI requested Gregory Scarpa for assignment.
- On 1998, Sam Bowers received life imprisonment for Dahmer’s murder.
- On September 1, 2026, Bratton discussed historical inspiration before release.
- On September 3, 2026, AP published its review of film.
- On September 3, 2026, Paramount detailed the film’s historical inspiration.
- On September 4, 2026, Paramount released the film theatrically nationwide.
Why it matters
Immediate US impact: The film brings a dramatized civil-rights case into theaters nationwide today. Possible long-term US impact: It may renew discussion about historical accuracy and civil-rights storytelling. Most affected groups: Moviegoers, civil-rights communities, historians, theaters, filmmakers, Paramount, actors, Mississippi communities. Reader priority: Distinguish documented history, filmmaker dramatization, criticism, and promotional claims across outlets.
Coverage notes
Left: Coverage emphasizes racial history, systemic racism, and concerns about Hollywood’s historical representation. Center: Coverage emphasizes release details, performances, historical basis, dramatization, and critical disagreements without partisan conclusions. Right: Evidence insufficient to establish a distinct right-leaning framing in collected coverage.
Primary report
On September 3, 2026, AP published its review before theatrical release.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
