Billy Bob Thornton’s neo-noir thriller, A Simple Plan, remains a captivating film that stands out for fans of suspenseful crime dramas like Netflix’s Ozark. Released in the late 1990s and directed by Sam Raimi, this movie offers a gritty exploration of greed and desperation in the cold landscapes of rural Minnesota, drawing sharp parallels to the high-stakes moral conflicts familiar to viewers of the popular series.
The story takes place in Wright County, Minnesota, where brothers Hank Mitchell (Bill Paxton) and Jacob Mitchell (Billy Bob Thornton), along with Jacob’s friend Lou Chambers (Brent Briscoe), stumble upon a large sum of money after finding a crashed plane. What follows is a tense unraveling of trust and morality, as these ordinary men grapple with decisions that spiral into violence and betrayal.
A Dangerous Windfall in a Snowy Wilderness
The film opens with the discovery of $4 million in cash inside a crashed plane, setting the stage for the slow descent into chaos. Hank, the elder and more cautious brother, is quick to suggest turning the money over to the authorities. However, Jacob and Lou overrule him, deciding instead to keep the money secret until spring, fearing repercussions from whoever owns the cash.
The stark, snowy wilderness serves as a cold and unforgiving backdrop that reflects the characters’ growing paranoia. Lou, increasingly impatient, presses for his share early due to mounting debts, which ignites a string of deadly confrontations. Tensions within the Mitchell family escalate, especially with Hank’s wife, Sarah (Bridget Fonda), who becomes fiercely protective of their secret and urges deadly measures to protect their newfound fortune.
The situation deteriorates rapidly: after Lou threatens to expose their secret, Hank kills him in self-defense, which leads to further tragic choices to cover up the crime, including Jacob’s decision to kill Lou’s wife. Each step deepens the moral decay among the characters as they desperately cling to their ill-gotten gains.
Complicating matters is the arrival of a man named Baxter (Gary Cole), who presents himself as an FBI agent investigating the plane crash. However, Baxter’s true intentions are far from lawful, as he is actually a criminal intent on reclaiming the stolen money. This twist adds another layer of peril, forcing the characters into a deadly cat-and-mouse game.
Based on Scott B. Smith’s 1993 novel, A Simple Plan blends the author’s dark narrative style with Sam Raimi’s signature bleak cinematic tone, delivering a story that feels both intimate and ominous.
Shared Themes: How ‘A Simple Plan’ Mirrors ‘Ozark’
Fans of Netflix’s Ozark will find numerous thematic echoes in A Simple Plan. Both stories revolve around the discovery or possession of illicit money that belongs to dangerous criminals. In Ozark, a group of financial advisors laundering money for a cartel face catastrophic consequences after one of them embezzles $8 million. Similarly, the Mitchell brothers’ decision to keep found cash thrusts them into a relentless spiral of violence and distrust.
The flawed choices made by characters in both works reflect the corrosive lure of sudden wealth, revealing how greed can quickly erode values and relationships. The predictable chain of events that follows each ill-advised decision is made gripping by the intense, often brutal outcomes, including shocking deaths and betrayals. While Ozark depicts graphic violence, such as a man being thrown from a high-rise, A Simple Plan features its own fierce confrontations that strongly impact the viewer without spoiling the plot.
Both stories also delve deeply into the dynamics of family under pressure. Hank Mitchell’s marriage suffers under Sarah’s manipulative and ruthless influence, paralleling the toxic marriage of Marty and Wendy from Ozark, where power struggles and shifting alliances threaten their union. The involvement of children in the DeMarcos’ scheme in Ozark echoes the cascading effects a crime spree has on the Mitchell family.
The rural settings in both productions symbolize isolation and moral ambiguity. The rural Ozarks of Missouri and the snowy landscapes of Minnesota are not simply backdrops but crucial elements that heighten the tension and desperation, creating arenas where sane and dangerous characters collide. These environments amplify the claustrophobia and stakes, reflecting a world where normal rules no longer hold sway.
Critical Praise and Challenges of ‘A Simple Plan’
Despite its modest box office earnings—grossing around $16.3 million against a $17 million budget—A Simple Plan received strong acclaim from critics. With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it earned praise for its writing, directing, and especially its performances, including Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of Jacob Mitchell. Esteemed critics Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel both awarded the film “Two Thumbs Up” on their television program, underscoring its quality and impact.
Thornton’s work was singled out for subtle, realistic touches, such as a memorable scene where he quivers and shifts his legs to endure extreme cold. Thornton later explained in an interview during the promotional run for Landman that the discomfort was genuine.
“The windchill that night in Upper Wisconsin was 60 below zero. There was hardly any way to stay still. We’re shivering every minute. They had tents with those old space heaters that kind of looked like a rocket and shot fire out on them, and even that didn’t warm you up. If you got close enough to feel the heat, it would catch your clothes on fire. I didn’t know how we were gonna get through that. I mean, to actually say dialogue, and be real, and try to ignore that kind of cold — that was probably the hardest thing I ever did in my life.” — Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
Alongside his Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, Thornton garnered other accolades, including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations. Nevertheless, director Sam Raimi expressed frustration that the film did not achieve the commercial success he anticipated. Some attributed this to the overshadowing presence of the film Fargo, released a year earlier and bearing similar themes and tone.
Raimi, however, rejected the idea that Fargo was to blame, explaining in an interview with Empire Magazine that the limited release hindered wider exposure.
“I don’t think it was overshadowed by Fargo. It just didn’t get a big release.” — Sam Raimi, Director
The film opened in only 31 theaters, making roughly $390,563 during its debut week, which limited its box office impact. Despite these setbacks, the movie has found a renewed life through streaming platforms such as Paramount+, giving new audiences the chance to discover its gripping narrative and powerful performances.
Enduring Significance of ‘A Simple Plan’ in Crime Drama
A Simple Plan continues to resonate with viewers who appreciate stories about the destructive power of greed and the moral compromises people make under pressure. Its nuanced portrayal of ordinary individuals unraveling under extraordinary circumstances places it alongside the finest crime dramas of the 1990s, with a lasting influence seen in contemporary works like Ozark.
Billy Bob Thornton’s career, with iconic roles in series such as Landman and Fargo and films like Sling Blade, is further enriched by his performance in A Simple Plan. The film remains essential viewing for fans eager to explore complex narratives set in rural America, where the quiet landscapes belie chaotic human dramas.
As streaming platforms continue to redefine how audiences engage with films, A Simple Plan is poised to reach more viewers, securing its place as a must-watch for anyone captivated by gripping, tense crime thrillers featuring compelling characters and dark moral dilemmas.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Billy Bob Thornton a smoker?
A. While in high school, Thornton was a drummer for a band named “Stone Cold Fever,” playing Creedence Clearwater Revival covers. He quit smoking after finishing work on the 2001 film, The Man Who Wasn’t There.
Q. Is Billy Bob Thornton dyslexic?
A. When Thornton was young, he didn’t know he had dyslexia. It was discovered when he became an adult.
Because of this, school was difficult for him. Teachers and classmates thought he was just not very quick to learn.
Despite these difficulties, Thornton has overcome dyslexia and achieved success in his life.
Q. Is Billy Bob Thornton a smoker?
A. He quit smoking after finishing the film “The Man Who Wasn’t There” in 2001. His hometown celebrated him, remembering his love for milkshakes and playing drums in a rock band. Mayor Bill Scrimshire, who used to run a Tastee-Freez stand before entering politics, declared a special “Billy Bob Thornton Day” on Tuesday.
