Desperation Road

Desperation Road is a 2023 American action thriller film written by Michael Farris Smith, directed by Nadine Crocker and starring Garrett Hedlund and Mel Gibson. It is based on the novel of the same name by Smith.^[1]

Desperation Road
Official release poster
Directed by	Nadine Crocker
Screenplay by	Michael Farris Smith
Based on	Desperation Road by Michael Farris Smith
Produced by	Cassian Elwes Nadine Crocker Michael Farris Smith Paul Robarts
Starring	Garrett Hedlund Willa Fitzgerald Ryan Hurst Mel Gibson
Cinematography	Sy Turnbull
Edited by	Jing Han
Music by	Haim Mazar
Production companies	Grindstone Entertainment Group Capstone Global Gramercy Park Media Balcony 9 Productions
Distributed by	Lionsgate
Release date	October 6, 2023 (2023-10-06)
Running time	112 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Cast

• Garrett Hedlund as Russell
• Willa Fitzgerald as Maben
• Ryan Hurst as Larry
• Woody McClain as Boyd
• Mel Gibson as Mitchell
• Pyper Braun as Analee
• Bonita Elery as Brenda
• Katy Bodenhamer as Lacey
• Paulina Gálvez as Consuela
• Shiloh Fernandez as Clint
• Kat Foster as Dana
• Ella Thomas as Sarah

Production

In October 2022, it was announced that Garrett Hedlund and Mel Gibson were cast in the film.^[1] In November 2022, it was announced that Willa Fitzgerald was cast in the film.^[2] Later it was also announced that Kat Foster was cast in the film.^[3] as well as Ella Thomas.^[4]

In February 2023, a first-look image from the film was revealed, confirming production had occurred.^[5]

Release

Desperation Road was released on October 6, 2023, in select theaters and digital format.^[6]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10.^[7]