David Cronenbeg’s 2005 film “A History of Violence” entwines itself around a nasty little premise. Tom Stall (played by Viggo Mortenson) is a family man, living in a small town, when one day, a couple of gruff outsiders try to rob his diner. In an instant, the quiet and calm everyman suddenly morphs into a lethal killer. His heroics save lives and earn a bit of media attention, but rather than savor his moment in the sun, Tom is concerned. His wife, Edie (Maria Bello), wonders why — until a gangster (Ed Harris) comes calling, alleging that Tom isn’t Tom at all, but a hitman named Joey Cusack who disappeared years ago under suspicious circumstances.

From there, Edie’s perception of Tom starts to shift, and the film’s shifts with her. Her husband’s once serene identity is streaked in danger; a danger that only grows as his past comes to light.