By Any Means pairs Mark Wahlberg with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in a crime thriller inspired by true events and set against the backdrop of 1960s Mississippi. Abdul-Mateen plays a young FBI agent investigating the murders of civil rights leaders, while Wahlberg plays mob hitman Greg Scarpa, which is about as strange a partnership as it sounds.

That contrast is a big part of what makes the movie work. Abdul-Mateen brings a steadier presence, while Wahlberg gets to do what Wahlberg does best: bring some edge, attitude and momentum to the story.

The movie deals with serious material, but it never feels overly heavy or bogged down. It keeps moving, gives both leads plenty to do and stays accessible even with the historical setting.

I was probably an easy sell with Wahlberg involved, but By Any Means ended up being more than just a vehicle for him. The pairing works, the story has enough tension, and it’s the kind of solid thriller that’s easy to recommend.