Could be Woody Harrelson's best role. Christian Bale is as good as ever and some good performances were delivered by Willem Dafoe and Forest Whitaker, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana and Sam Shepard. An ex-con, played by Bale, revenges the pointless murder of his brother, played by Affleck.

I'm not certain the director was actually aiming at the Deer Hunter but given the location and the bleakness and throw in the vet coming back from a crazy war (this time in Afghanistan) and an explicit deer hunting scene with Christian Bale's character and it seems likely that someone mentioned the Deer Hunter when this was being pitched. This film seems like such wasted effort. So many talented A list actors and yet it just becomes a revenge movie with a big shootout at the end. How conventional. The acting is all top notch but the story is an episode of any hour long tv crime drama. Couldn't the writers think of anything more to say?! Not really worth your time unless you have nothing better to watch.

Overall, I liked this film with brilliant performances by the main actors. I do agree however, with other reviewers that the ending fell apart a bit and became too predictable. The last frame , I felt, was particularly lame. Still a worthwhile investment if you like gritty realism types of film.

Out Of The Furnace is and amazing film to see in a theatre. I loved this film, it was very well made. The story is original and entertaining. The directing, production design, cinematography and screenplay were very good. Christian Bale and all the other actors did an spectacular job. I also think this film has the best ensemble of the year. The ending part of the this film was intense, I recommend it.

"Out of the Furnace" was an amazing movie, such a great cast and great performances, Christian Bale is one of the best actors of our time and proved it again..really nice touch having the song "Release" play at the beginning and end of the movie too. Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldena and everyone else also gave solid performances.