Justice Has No Rules: By Any Means Brings a Dangerous 1960s Crime Story to Australian Cinemas

A dangerous partnership between an FBI agent and a notorious Mafia hitman takes centre stage in By Any Means, the new crime thriller heading to Australian cinemas this September.

Directed by Elegance Bratton, the film is set in Mississippi in 1966, during one of the most turbulent periods of the American Civil Rights Movement. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as a young Black FBI agent sent to investigate a series of brutal murders targeting civil rights leaders. His investigation takes an unexpected turn when he is forced to work alongside Greg Scarpa, a feared Mafia hitman and FBI informant played by Mark Wahlberg.

What begins as an uneasy professional alliance soon develops into something far more dangerous. As the two men pursue those responsible for the killings, the investigation pushes them into a world where the boundaries between justice, revenge and the law become increasingly difficult to distinguish.

The film's story is inspired by real events and real figures from the period, giving the action-driven thriller a historical foundation. Its central conflict also places two very different men on the same side: one working within the federal justice system and the other operating far outside it. The contrast provides much of the film's tension as their methods collide while they pursue a common target.

Alongside Abdul-Mateen II and Wahlberg, the cast includes Nicole Beharie, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, David Strathairn, Ethan Embry, LaChanze and LisaGay Hamilton. The film runs for 107 minutes and has been classified MA15+ in Australia for strong themes, violence and coarse language.

For Australian audiences, By Any Means is scheduled to open in cinemas on 3 September 2026. The film is already listed by major cinema chains including HOYTS, Event Cinemas and Palace Cinemas, with sessions appearing across several Australian locations. MuviTimes also lists screenings in cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.

The film arrives at a time when historical crime dramas are once again finding their place on the big screen, but By Any Means appears determined to approach its subject through the energy of a thriller rather than a conventional historical drama. Its combination of real-world events, moral conflict and action gives the story a darker edge.

For moviegoers looking for something more intense than the usual September releases, By Any Means could be an intriguing addition to the Australian cinema lineup. With Abdul-Mateen II and Wahlberg at the centre of an unlikely alliance, the film asks a provocative question: when the system fails, how far are you willing to go to get justice?

By Any Means opens in Australian cinemas on 3 September 2026.

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