Somewhere between gangster flick and psychological horror, Bull follows the winding paths one man takes to seek revenge against those that wronged him. Intricate family bonds and business lay the groundwork for what winds up being the epitome of a roller coaster, from start to finish – or perhaps, in this case, a rickety old Ferris wheel or a whirling dervish of a Fairgrounds deathtrap ride. 

Bull (Neil Maskell) is, from the outside, a typical English dad. He loves his son Aiden (Henri Charles) and has a tumultuous and complicated relationship with his wife, Gemma (Lois Brabin-Platt). Complicating things further is his place in the family business – as a bruiser type working under Gemma’s father, Norm (David Hayman), an underground businessman … also known as a mobster. The complexities of this business, the earth-shattering truth of Gemma’s infidelities, and the tangled web of business and personal dramas set Bull down a dark and dangerous path, from which no one expects him to return. Ten years later, however, Bull is back – and he’s ready to make them all pay.

Splitting the narrative between flashbacks and present day, Bull is one of those tricky watches. There isn’t a distinctive stylistic variation between the past and the present – and you have to pay close attention to the story to keep track of where you are. It is, however, worth every single second. A wild ride that is equal parts slasher and family drama, Bull doesn’t leave anything unsaid, and leaves very little unseen. Not for the squeamish, with brilliant makeup and visual effects, Bull takes “visceral” to a new level, even as things happen behind closed doors or off screen – the performances, sound design, and blazing soundtrack suck you into the heart-clutching narrative.

The praise Bull is receiving, from other critics and from myself, is sadly marred by an ending that raised a lot of eyebrows – and a lot of questions. We are strictly anti-spoiler here at HorrorBuzz, but I will let you know that in my deep imagination (and my deepest desires) this film ended ten minutes before the credits rolled, and those last ten questionable minutes, while perfectly brilliant for another film, were never part of this one.

Neil Maskell gives a career-making performance as the title character, bringing fatherly love and heart into the pathos of what could be a very irredeemable man. His unhinged, powerful eyes will haunt you throughout, and his heartache and horror at a life turned upside down will stay with you long after the screen goes black. David Hayman gives a divine performance as Norm, perfectly calculated and delightfully cruel. An ensemble of true character actors brings the piece together, making a memorable film that should be discussed for years to come.  

9 out of 10