A24 Films has released the first A Most Violent Year clip from writer/director J.C. Chandor’s (All Is Lost) upcoming crime drama.  The film is set in New York in 1981 and revolves around “an American immigrant (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) trying to expand their business as violence and corruption threaten to destroy all they have built.”  This new clip, in no uncertain terms, serves to highlight Chastain’s performance in light of Best Supporting Actress consideration, as she explains to the District Attorney (played by David Oyelowo) how she and her husband must be respected.  This is absolutely one of my most anticipated films of the year, and response from its premiere at AFI Fest was incredibly positive, with many noting that Chandor once again uses a very specific story to draw parallels to what’s going on in our world today.

Check out the first A Most Violent Year clip after the jump.  The film also stars Alessandro Nivola and Albert Brooks.  A Most Violent Year opens in limited release on December 31st before expanding in January 2015.

Via A24.

Here’s the official synopsis for A Most Violent Year:

 A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is a searing crime drama set in New York City during the winter of 1981, statistically the most dangerous year in the city’s history. From acclaimed writer/director J.C. Chandor, and starring Oscar Isaac (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS) and Jessica Chastain (ZERO DARK THIRTY), this gripping story plays out within a maze of rampant political and industry corruption plaguing the streets of a city in decay.

J.C. Chandor’s third feature examines one immigrant’s determined climb up a morally crooked ladder, where simmering rivalries and unprovoked attacks threaten his business, family, and - above all - his own unwavering belief in the righteousness of his path. With A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, Chandor journeys in a bold new direction, toward the place where best intentions yield to raw instinct, and where we are most vulnerable to compromise what we know to be right.