Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has responded to controversies surrounding his new movie, By Any Means. The movie also stars Mark Wahlberg and is based on a controversial true story. However, reports claim that the family of the real victim is against it because of the true historical events and significance.
When asked about this by @JoellasWorld on X, the Wonder Man star replied, “FWIW, the family actually was consulted & came to set & the premiere as well and were pleased with the result. There also is a disclaimer in the credits. Sadly, there’s a lot of inaccurate reporting. But yes, a minority of the family was against it. Thank U.”
Yahya referred to the family of a civil rights leader, Vernon Dahmer Sr., who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan for his contributions to registering Black Americans to vote. This real-life event is one of the most significant aspects of By Any Means, driving its plot forward.
The controversy arose when Dennis Dahmer Sr. and Ellie Dahmer, the activist’s son and wife, called out the movie for being riddled with historical inaccuracies, according to The Root. In a statement to the source, they said By Any Means undermines the activist’s sacrifices and legacy, leaning into the white hero-savior trope.
In the statement, Dennis Dahmer Sr. said, “This story has always been about a man who stood for voting rights. He was killed because he believed every American deserved the right to vote. That is the story that must not be lost.”
By Any Means brings a controversial true story to the screen
As stated above, By Any Means is inspired by a real-life event from the 1960s. The movie follows a young Black FBI agent ( Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is sent to Mississippi to investigate a series of brutal murders targeting civil rights leaders.
When a leader (Vernon Dahmer Sr.), whom he was close to, is killed by the Ku Klux Klan, the agent teams up with notorious mafia hitman Greg Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg). Together, they embark on a deadly hunt where justice and vengeance begin to blur.
Wahlberg’s character, Scarpa, is also based on a real figure. Scarpa was a violent mafia captain and hitman for the Colombo crime family in New York City, who also worked as an FBI informant.
The movie is helmed by Elegance Bratton, with a screenplay by Sascha Penn. It also stars Nicole Beharie, David Strathairn, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Lucas, LaChanze, and Ethan Embry.
By Any Means was released in theaters in the U.S. on September 4, 2026.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
