By Any Means crime drama follows FBI agent and hitman in 1966 Mississippi

The new crime drama “By Any Means,” directed by Elegance Bratton, is set in 1966 Mississippi. The film follows a Black FBI agent, Special Agent Wayne Strider (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who returns to his hometown to seek justice in a region dominated by the Ku Klux Klan.

Following the murder of civil rights leader Vernon Dahmer (played by Giancarlo Esposito), the FBI faces a lack of witness cooperation due to fear and bigotry. In response, the agency utilizes an informant and mafia hitman, Gregory Scarpa (played by Mark Wahlberg), to use extreme methods to advance the investigation. The story focuses on the uneasy partnership between the by-the-book agent and the violent hitman.

Reviews of the film note its uneven tone, describing it as a mix of a mismatched buddy film and a serious look at justice. While the dramatic elements and violent set pieces are noted, some critics suggest the film struggles to maintain a consistent emotional arc for its lead characters.