In 2010 Ross Ulbricht decides to ‘do something different’ and creates a website on the dark web where people are able to buy drugs in secret.
Over the next three years, DEA agent Rick Bowden, now desk bound due to a previous indiscretion discovers it, and makes it his mission to bring Ulbricht down.
Direction
The direction was solid, however there were some moments that I either found aggressive and arrogant; the large titles on the screen when either time goes past (three months later etc.), or showing the location change. There is a dizzying 360 camera spin early in the film.
There are some fun split screens later in the film that track the online conversations between Ulbricht and Bowden – as they both are unaware of who each other is.
I also didn’t mind the ‘pause’ moments, which were more significant at the end of the film.
Cast/Characters
Nick Robinson (of Jurassic World stardom) plays Ross Ulbricht. He is sound enough as a lead – but it helps that he has such great secondary and supporting cast around him.
There are some oddly written family tension early in the film where there is clear conflict between Ross and his father. Later in the film when he is more successful in the ‘business’ this has disappeared as rapidly as it was shown in the first place.
He almost has a “Walter White” type change of character (Mr Chips to Scarface) where he makes some highly unethical choices throughout the film – like ordering the murder of several people.
Jason Clarke was brilliant as Bowden. His idiosyncrasies and characteristics of being the ‘old school’ cop – who is reluctant to technology (even googling how to basic computer skills early on) is quite comical. That Clarke is a native Australian goes to show how well he can handle the American accent too.
His backstory I felt should have been developed more, as this would have made his narrative stronger.
As a parent of a neurodivergeant child, I found the story line about his daughter somewhat poorly handled, as she is continuously labeled as ‘challenging’ yet all the times she is seen as being more neurotypical.
Secondary cast members are Alexandra Shipp as Julia, Ross’ long suffering girlfriend, who starts to question his actions throughout the film, and Jimmi Simpson as an FBI agent who too is trying to bring Ulbricht down.
Paul Walter Hauser plays a comical side character who works for Ulbricht. It’s also ironic that he plays this character the same year he plays a complete opposite character in Queen Pins (reviewed earlier).
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The film starts with two things I quite liked; it had a pre-title not letting the audience know that this is true story “except what we made up” which gives the impression of a comedy film, and certain characters do provide this vibe of film (Hauser’s Curtis adds just the right amount of comedy to the film.
There is a constant narration throughout the film, while I’m not generally a fan of narration, the complexity of what is occurring on the screen, and the engaging narrative feels like it was needed.
I had a laugh at the cost of bitcoin in 2010 – I wish I bought them at that price!
I was surprised to learn that the character of Rick Bowden was written for the screen too. It is also relevant to note that the real life Ulbricht was paroled by the current US President Donald Trump earlier this year (2025).
One thing that was done poorly in the script was the use of the ‘c’ word. I just don’t think Americans can use this word properly. Even though the actor was Australian.
Score/Soundtrack
I also loved the score that plays almost constantly underneath most of the film.
Overall
I went in blind with this film, and was pleasantly surprised by what I watched. The narrative was strong, and was supported by strong cast, and mostly solid direction. While there were a couple of downs, I would give this a strong recommend.
4/5
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