It firmly nestles the audience into a place of distrust and anger, much like the characters. It’s an uncomfortable place because nothing the mob does fits into any modern definition of justice, but the shared mentality of the group overtakes rationality. It’s essentially a real-life horror show and digs into humans’ innate desire for violence, but plays more like a tragedy. A horrible tragedy that leaves all involved with a dirty, sinking feeling that will never leave them for the rest of their lives. 
… More The Ox-Bow Incident a maddening one-room drama