Slow burn movies have a time and place in the world, and when they focus on absolute tragedy and devastation, they have to be handled with class and taste. Thankfully, Mike Ott (California Dreams) and co-writer Alex Gioulakis (Unemployable) handle the most devastating and deadliest case of domestic terrorism in the United States. The film (this could be a spoiler if you’re not familiar with what happened) focuses on a true historic event, shows the events leading up to and including seconds before the attack and does so without showing a recreation or fictionalized version of the attack itself. Without diving into the devastation itself and, instead, focusing on the person responsible and the mental state of his being leading up to this, truly creates a tense, disturbing, uneasy watch for viewers which is grounded by its leading man. McVeigh truly is an uncomfortable watch, but one that completely engages the audience and makes their skin crawl throughout the feature.
Ashley Benson as Cindy in MCVEIGH. Photo courtesy of CinemaWerks/Tribeca Film Festival.
The film focuses on Tim (Alfie Allen) as an army veteran who’s deeply disturbed by the events that happened in Waco, Texas, in regards to the military seize. His continued anti-government beliefs along with discussions of his plans with similar thinking people and cohorts lead to the horrific attack in Oklahoma. None of this was planned solo as he strategized his deadly attack with Terry (Brett Gelman) who he was introduced to by Frédéric (Anthony Carrigan). While it is a historic event, to give further insight, Tim planted a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building which killed 168 people and injured over 500. Truly one of the most horrific acts of domestic terrorism in history.
Alfie Allen as Tim McVeigh in MCVEIGH. Photo courtesy of CinemaWerks/Tribeca Film Festival.
McVeigh as a film works because of the story that Gioulakis and Ott craft, along with Ott’s direction. While there is so little action, the film is packed with tense moments that created increasingly discomfort moment after moment throughout the film, leaving the audience in disarray for the entire 90 minutes.
The performance by Alfie Allen (John Wick; Game of Thrones) steals the entire show, adding to the sense of dread and agitation that is prominent throughout McVeigh. His brilliant performance is so downright horrific and terrifying, filled with such hatred and chaos, that it is simply one of the best of the year and just captivates the audience in every single frame in which he is present. The look behind his eyes as he plays Tim is filled with nothing but hatred and detest, burning a hole into the audience, making them truly realize what this man is and was capable of. However, it would be remised to say that only Allen was a standout member of the cast as Brett Gelman (Boy Kills World; Fleabag) and Anthony Carrigan (Bill & Ted Face the Music; Barry) are also incredible in their performances, as is Ashley Benson (The Loneliest Boy in the World) in the role of Cindy. Not as evil as Allen comes off to be, Gelman also evokes unease in the audience and creates even tenser moments in the film when he and Allen share screen time. The entire cast truly creates an perturbed world for the audience to reside in, but such a powerful world for the audience to marinade in.
Brett Gelman as Terry in MCVEIGH. Photo courtesy of CinemaWerks/Tribeca Film Festival.
McVeigh tells the true and horrific story of Timothy McVeigh and the lingering effects of the film will sit with the audience long after the film ends. Mike Ott crafted an excellent film that shines with the support of his cast who co-writer Alex Gioulakis helped weave into the story of one of the most horrific acts of domestic terrorism in the United States. McVeigh will not sit well with some audience members, but the performances are brilliant and the story is bone-chilling. It’s certainly one movie that will leave audiences at the edge of their seat the entire running time.
Screening during Tribeca Film Festival 2024.
In select theaters, on VOD, and digital March 21st, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Tribeca 2024 McVeigh webpage.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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