In the opening scene Bryon Widner (Jamie Bell) is about to undergo surgery, the start of a long and painful physical expunging of his past.
Flashback to Widner as a member of a neonazi cult, inducted since he was 14, given a place, a belief system, and reasons to rail against the world. A marked man, face and much of his body covered in tattoos of far right, race hate symbolism. He does what he's asked to do, will fight who he's asked to fight. He has his dog, and he has 'family'.
Then Julie (Danielle Macdonald) turns up in his life. Having stood up for her kids against another member of the cult they become wary friends, soon passionate lovers. Julie, as damaged as Bryon, has managed to escape from the fringes of the white supremacists, wants Widner to follow. But the past, in his head, on his body, and the vengeful and possessive cult leaders, is not so easy to leave behind. Getting away involves a lot of soul searching, bravery, and the right kind of help, in the shape of Daryle Jenkins (Mike Colter), a black man who helps people like Widner to find a normal life. Widner will not only lose his tattoos, but a whole world view. Who will he be at the end of the process?
Bell is an impressive mix of bravado, fear, love and determination in his development into a more thoughtful human being. There's a strong tension to the narrative, even if there being no doubt that redemption is the end point, because the struggle to reach it is so engrossing, the characters so recognisable.
Based on real events, the film ends with some updates on what's become of the main characters in the decade and a bit since. It's a useful reminder that this is not a fiction, but a representation of a section of society that is still with us. The movie is timely reminder of hope, and important, given the regressive changes that the UK has been enduring for the past 3 years.
Recommended.
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