Viggo Mortensen gives one of his best performances as Nikolai and proves why he is one of the best actors working today. He is too underrated and has such fine range as an actor. He works well with a great cast that includes Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and Armin Mueller-Stahl. David Cronenberg creates a gripping tale of violence, crime, and loyalty. It is compelling, surprising, suspenseful and simply brutal.