Finestkind (2025): A Tale of Brotherhood, Crime, and the Price of Loyalty

In the gritty fishing docks of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Finestkind sails into dark waters where loyalty, desperation, and crime collide. Directed and written by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential), this gripping 2023 American crime thriller stars Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, and Tommy Lee Jones, delivering a raw story of family bonds tested against impossible choices.

⚓ “Every tide brings a choice—you either rise with it, or drown beneath it.”

🌊 The Story So Far

The film follows two estranged brothers—Tom (Ben Foster), a seasoned fisherman hardened by life at sea, and Charlie (Toby Wallace), a restless young man searching for purpose. One summer, they reunite on the docks of New Bedford, America’s biggest commercial fishing port. What begins as a fishing trip turns into a dangerous plunge into smuggling, betrayal, and survival when the brothers strike a desperate deal with a Boston crime syndicate.

Caught in the middle is Mabel (Jenna Ortega), a young woman whose life intertwines with Charlie’s, drawing her into the high-stakes choices that define their summer. At the heart of it all lies their aging father Ray (Tommy Lee Jones), whose presence becomes both a moral compass and a shadow of sacrifice.

⚖️ Themes of Brotherhood & Survival

At its core, Finestkind is more than a crime thriller—it’s a tale of fractured families, second chances, and the price of redemption. From the dangerous pull of illegal fishing to the haunting consequences of drug trafficking, the film explores what happens when survival demands crossing moral lines.

With the pounding waves and the looming threat of betrayal, every scene carries the tension of men caught between duty and destruction.

🎬 Behind the Camera

Helmed by Brian Helgeland, who also penned the script, the film is powered by an impressive creative team:

• Producers: Gary Foster, Russ Krasnoff, Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser

• Cinematography: Crille Forsberg (bringing a stormy, salt-soaked realism to the screen)

• Editing: Stuart Levy

• Music: Carter Burwell (whose score underscores the film’s gritty emotional beats)

⭐ The Cast

• Ben Foster as Tom Eldridge

• Toby Wallace as Charlie

• Jenna Ortega as Mabel

• Tommy Lee Jones as Ray Eldridge

• Ismael Cruz Córdova, Aaron Stanford, and Tim Daly round out the ensemble, giving Finestkind a powerhouse of performances.

📅 Release & Runtime

• Premiered: September 8, 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

• Official Release: December 15, 2023

• Runtime: 126 minutes

📺 Where to Watch

Finestkind is distributed by Paramount+, making it available for streaming. Fans of gritty crime thrillers and character-driven dramas can experience the film exclusively on the platform.

⚓ Final Word

With powerhouse performances, a tense storyline, and the stormy backdrop of New England’s fishing ports, Finestkind stands as a raw meditation on loyalty and the lengths we’ll go to for family. Jenna Ortega shines as the emotional heartbeat, while Ben Foster and Toby Wallace anchor the narrative with a fierce brotherhood torn between the sea and the streets.

In the world of Finestkind, choices aren’t just about survival—they’re about legacy.