Road to Perdition (2002) is a haunting, beautifully shot crime drama set during the Great Depression. Directed by Sam Mendes and based on the graphic novel by Max Allan Collins, the film follows mob enforcer Michael Sullivan as he flees with his young son after a betrayal from within the criminal world. With stunning cinematography, a powerful score, and brilliant performances from Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Jude Law, the film is a meditation on violence, legacy, and fatherhood.
Think you remember every bullet fired, every moral dilemma, and every powerful scene? Take this 10-question trivia challenge and see if you really know Road to Perdition. Only true film noir fans will score a perfect 10.
Road to Perdition (2002) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Michael Sullivan in Road to Perdition (2002)?
Correct Answer: Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks steps into a rare morally gray role as Michael Sullivan, a conflicted mob enforcer and devoted father. His nuanced performance reveals a man torn between violent duty and paternal love, anchoring the film’s emotional and ethical depth.
- What is Michael Sullivan’s profession at the beginning of the film?
Correct Answer: Hitman for the Irish mob
Sullivan works as a trusted killer for John Rooney’s crime syndicate. Though he tries to shield his family from his dark work, this profession ultimately puts them in grave danger — and forces him to confront the cost of the life he leads.
- Which actor plays the mob boss John Rooney?
Correct Answer: Paul Newman
Paul Newman, in one of his final roles, brings wisdom and authority to John Rooney — a powerful patriarch who treats Sullivan like a son, even as his own real son, Connor, spirals out of control. Rooney’s torn loyalties are central to the film’s tragedy.
- Why does Michael Sullivan go on the run with his son?
Correct Answer: His son witnesses a murder
After Michael Jr. secretly follows his father on a job, he sees a mob killing — exposing the family to retaliation. When their home is attacked, Sullivan flees with his son to protect him, beginning a haunting journey of vengeance and emotional reckoning.
- Who is Connor Rooney in the film?
Correct Answer: John Rooney’s son and a violent mobster
Connor, played by Daniel Craig, is the volatile and envious son of John Rooney. His reckless betrayal and lack of control ignite the film’s deadly chain of events. His actions highlight the danger of unchecked legacy within criminal families.
- Which actor plays the cold-blooded assassin Harlen Maguire?
Correct Answer: Jude Law
Jude Law delivers a disturbing performance as Harlen Maguire — a killer who masquerades as a crime scene photographer. His obsession with death and morbid detachment make him one of the film’s most chilling and symbolic antagonists.
- What historical period is the film set in?
Correct Answer: The Great Depression
Set in the 1930s, the film captures the desolate, economically ravaged Midwest, where organized crime thrived. The grim era enhances the story’s atmosphere of desperation, betrayal, and existential weight.
- What is Michael Sullivan’s ultimate goal during his journey?
Correct Answer: To protect his son and get revenge
After his wife and younger son are murdered, Sullivan seeks to avenge them — but more importantly, he’s determined to shield his surviving son from the violent world that shaped him. His path becomes one of both retribution and redemption.
- What symbolic item is strongly associated with Harlen Maguire?
Correct Answer: A camera
Maguire’s camera, used to photograph the dead, reflects his voyeuristic fascination with mortality. It symbolizes his detachment from human life and the blurred line between observation and participation in violence.
- What is a central theme of Road to Perdition?
Correct Answer: The cost of violence and father-son legacy
The film deeply explores how cycles of violence are passed down — and how they can be broken. Michael’s greatest hope is that his son won’t become him, and his journey is one of sacrifice, aiming to give the boy a future free from bloodshed.
