'By Any Means' review: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg team up

Key Points:

• "By Any Means" stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a Black FBI agent and Mark Wahlberg as a Mafia hitman teamed to solve the 1966 murder of Mississippi NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer Sr., set against the racial and political violence of the late 1960s American South.
• Directed by Elegance Bratton and written by Sascha Penn, the film blends historical events with fictional elements, portraying an unvarnished action thriller that highlights systemic racism and the Ku Klux Klan's influence in law enforcement.
• Wahlberg's character, based on real-life Mafia informant Gregory Scarpa, uses brutal, extrajudicial methods to fight the KKK, creating tension with Abdul-Mateen's more by-the-book FBI agent, culminating in a complex exploration of violence and justice.
• The film features strong supporting performances, a period-appropriate soundtrack including Nina Simone and Curtis Mayfield, and vivid production design, enhancing its historical atmosphere and emotional impact.
• Rated R for violence and language, "By Any Means" opens in theaters on September 4, receiving a three out of four stars rating for its powerful storytelling and dynamic lead pairing.