In a tense confrontation, Cliff questions Ricky about their Meridian scheme, probing whether Ricky intends to kill him. The details of their dark plan unfold, involving at least two others, with one, Mark, having taken his own life. Adding a layer of complexity, Cliff reveals his past affair with Mark’s ex-wife, burdened by guilt and resigned to the consequences. Silently accepting his fate, Cliff discreetly calls his boss from a payphone, exposing Ricky’s betrayal. Directed with a profound understanding of the cold, desolate Montana setting, “Blood for Dust” captures the chilling atmosphere that pervades its world, delving into real and imagined fears. While the film occasionally critiques the cutthroat nature of the U.S., portraying a landscape of individuals seeking their share, it struggles to provide a compelling insight into Cliff, the central character. Lacking a clear focus on why the audience should care about him, “Blood for Dust” becomes a sequence of somber scenes, blending into a bleak portrayal without a firm grip on its protagonist.