Watch Hate Crime

Hate Crime is a harrowing 2005 drama film that explores the consequences of bigotry, ignorance, and fear. It follows Robbie Levinson (Seth Peterson) and his partner Trey McCoy (Brian J. Smith) as they move into a suburban neighborhood with their son, Joey. However, their idyllic new life is quickly shattered when they become the victims of a brutal crime.

The film begins on the night of Robbie and Trey's housewarming party, where they are introduced to their new neighbors, including the menacing skinhead group known as the Brotherhood. At first, the Brotherhood only taunts Robbie and Trey with slurs and threats, but things escalate when their leader, Tim Haines (Chad Donella), breaks into their home and violently assaults them. The attack leaves Trey in a coma and Robbie traumatized and desperate for justice.

Desperate to find the perpetrators, Robbie turns to the local authorities, including Detective John Livine (Bruce Davison), who is initially sympathetic but quickly dismisses the crime as an isolated incident. As the investigation stalls and the Brotherhood continues its reign of terror on the neighborhood, Robbie takes matters into his own hands, pushing himself to the brink in his quest for retribution.

The performances in Hate Crime are outstanding, particularly from Seth Peterson as the grieving and enraged Robbie. His descent into darkness is both tragic and understandable, as he struggles to cope with the trauma he has experienced and the utter lack of support from those meant to protect him. Bruce Davison as the well-intentioned but ultimately ineffective detective is also excellent, conveying the frustration and helplessness that many marginalized communities experience when trying to seek justice.

The film's violence is graphic and difficult to watch, but it is not gratuitous. Director Tommy Stovall uses it to underscore the film's themes of hatred and intolerance, showing the devastating consequences of bigotry and ignorance. The film is also notable for its unflinching portrayal of a same-sex couple and their struggles in a world that still sees them as outsider, with one particularly poignant scene where Robbie is berated by a young boy who has been taught to hate.

Overall, Hate Crime is a powerful and thought-provoking film that forces the viewer to confront some uncomfortable truths about our society. It is not an easy watch, but it is an important one, exposing the toxic ramifications of prejudice and bigotry. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be challenged and moved by their cinema.

Hate Crime is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 41.