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Drama thriller

Breaking (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Breaking (2022) movie poster

Breaking is a 2022 drama thriller directed by Abi Damaris Corbin, starring John Boyega as Brian Brown-Easley, Olivia Washington and London Covington. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $2.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
81%
worldwide gross
$2.8M
Echo Score
62
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Breaking (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Breaking About?

The premise of Breaking without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A Marine veteran's urgent request for assistance is ignored, leading to a tense standoff with devastating consequences. Brian Brown-Easley’s struggle against bureaucratic indifference evolves into a desperate fight for survival, pushing him to the edge. The situation escalates, endangering lives and highlighting the fragility of the system designed to help those in need, ultimately testing the boundaries of human endurance.

Breaking Themes & Keywords

· 44 tags
  • father daughter relationship
  • hostage situation
  • based on true story
  • military veteran
  • tv news crew
  • hostage negotiator
  • bomb threat
  • bank
  • bomb
  • bank teller
  • hold up
  • motel
+32 more
  • veterans administration
  • clerical error
  • flashback
  • ex marine
  • divorced couple
  • mobile phone
  • sniper
  • swat
  • swat team
  • bathroom
  • text message
  • farewell note
  • drone footage
  • convenience store
  • helicopter
  • f rated
  • co written by director
  • title directed by female
  • docudrama drama
  • u.s. marines
  • cell phone
  • negotiator
  • handwritten note
  • security cameras
  • true crime
  • 2010s
  • digit in title
  • number 892 in title
  • cigarette smoking
  • woman urinates in fear
  • independent film
  • number in title
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Cast & crew

Breaking Cast & Characters

John Boyega leads the cast as Brian Brown-Easley, with Olivia Washington as Cassandra Brown-Easley and London Covington as Kiah Easley. Directed by Abi Damaris Corbin; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Breaking

· 6 more
From the director

More from Abi Damaris Corbin

One more film directed by Abi Damaris Corbin: The Suitcase.

Full filmography
Ratings

Breaking Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Breaking 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

62 /100

Breaking Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Breaking delivers a fervently political drama that resonates through strong central performances but is hindered by uneven narrative execution. Critics commend its thematic ambition and John Boyega’s commanding presence, while several reviewers note a meandering script and insufficient character development. Audience reactions echo this divide, praising emotional moments yet criticizing pacing and tonal inconsistency. Consequently, the film offers a compelling premise that falls short of a fully cohesive experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film exhibits moments of measured composition and purposeful framing that underscore its gritty subject matter. Critics highlight Abi Damaris Corbin’s disciplined approach, yet some point to a lack of stylistic distinction and uneven editing that dilute tension. The overall visual execution thus reflects a competent but not consistently striking aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When evaluating character work, John Boyega’s performance is repeatedly described as powerful and nuanced, anchoring the film’s emotional core. Supporting actors receive mixed feedback; Nicole Beharie’s portrayal is praised by some yet criticized for over‑acting by others, and secondary roles are often deemed under‑developed. Overall, the acting ensemble delivers strong central figures while the broader character depth remains uneven.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative structure strives to balance a true‑event heist premise with broader commentary on veteran affairs. While the thematic intent is clear and some reviewers find the plot compelling and emotionally charged, many note a lack of cohesive pacing and under‑explored motivations that cause the story to feel uneven. Consequently, the film’s storytelling oscillates between engaging and derivative, limiting its overall narrative potency.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    The film’s auditory and visual ambience receives limited commentary, indicating a modest sensory footprint. References to a gritty atmosphere and appropriate sound design suggest competence, yet the lack of specific praise for score or cinematographic flair points to an unremarkable sensory layer. Overall, the sensory components support the narrative without standing out as a distinctive strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 58

    Replay potential is divided; while some viewers express a desire to revisit the film for its emotional resonance and thematic relevance, critics note its limited entertainment value and a lack of fresh discoveries on subsequent viewings. The movie’s strong message and central performances encourage occasional re‑engagement, but overall the experience does not strongly compel repeated watches.

Plot

Breaking Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Breaking from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Brian Brown-Easley [John Boyega] is a former Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps who carries the quiet weight of war long after his service ends. Struggling with financial hardship and the persistent sting of psychological trauma, he can’t hold a steady job and relies on a monthly VA disability check of $892. When that check is unexpectedly withheld because of a disputed debt to a for-profit college, the situation snowballs into homelessness and mounting desperation. His life, already frayed by physical pain and invisible wounds, hangs in the balance as the system he trusted fails to deliver what he was promised.

Full summary

The whole story of Breaking, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Breaking Box Office

Breaking grossed $2.8 million worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.8M

US & Canada
$2.8M
Videos

Breaking Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 3 teasers, 4 clips and 2 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser :15 Review
  • Teaser :30 Cutdown
  • Teaser :15 Cutdown
  • Clip Don’t You Underestimate Me
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Breaking?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which branch of the U.S. military did Brian Brown‑Easley serve in?

Cars

Cars in Breaking

34 cars on screen, including the 2009 Nissan Cube and the 2006 Chevrolet Impala.

All 34 cars
  • 2009 Nissan Cube in Breaking 2009 Nissan Cube Main role
  • 2006 Chevrolet Impala in Breaking 2006 Chevrolet Impala Important role
  • 1992 Buick LeSabre in Breaking 1992 Buick LeSabre Minor role
  • 2018 Cadillac XTS in Breaking 2018 Cadillac XTS Minor role
Details

Breaking Also Known As

17 alternative titles, including “892” and “שובר מוסכמות”.

Also known as
  • 892
  • שובר מוסכמות
  • 破裂
  • Infranto
  • Brisé
  • Нечего терять
  • افسارگسیخته
  • 벼랑 끝에서
  • Quiebre
  • Kopuş
  • Životna borba
  • كسر
+5 more
  • Порушення
  • נקודת שבירה
  • Grieta
  • แตกหัก
  • Нищо за губене

Seen Breaking?

FAQ

Breaking FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Breaking, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Breaking?

Breaking runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Breaking released?

Breaking was released on August 26, 2022.

Who directed Breaking?

Breaking was directed by Abi Damaris Corbin.

More films by Abi Damaris Corbin

Who is in the cast of Breaking?

Breaking stars John Boyega as Brian Brown-Easley, Olivia Washington as Cassandra Brown-Easley and London Covington as Kiah Easley, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Breaking make at the box office?

Breaking grossed $2.8 million worldwide.

How is Breaking rated?

Breaking has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Breaking have a post-credit scene?

No. Breaking has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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