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Action drama

A Prayer Before Dawn (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Prayer Before Dawn (2018) movie poster

A Prayer Before Dawn is a 2018 action drama directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, starring Joe Cole as Billy Moore, Billy Moore and Panya Yimmumphai. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $958,883 worldwide. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
92%
worldwide gross
$958.9K
Echo Score
80
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A Prayer Before Dawn (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Genres
Action , Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Prayer Before Dawn About?

The premise of A Prayer Before Dawn without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Trapped in Thailand's notoriously violent prisons, a young English boxer named Billy Moore confronts a harrowing ordeal of brutality and addiction. Muay Thai boxing becomes his only hope for redemption as he battles his inner demons and faces a constant threat to his survival. Through intense matches, Billy risks everything to overcome the darkness and find a path to freedom.

A Prayer Before Dawn Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • male rear nudity
  • boxing
  • male nudity
  • male rape
  • prison rape
  • male frontal nudity
  • boxer
  • boxing match
  • thai boxing
  • prison
  • male prisoner
  • suicide
+38 more
  • violence
  • tattoo
  • male underwear
  • transgender woman
  • based on memoir
  • drug addict
  • rape
  • drug dealer
  • drugs
  • nudity
  • sex scene
  • vomiting
  • toilet
  • european in asia
  • strip search
  • male pubic hair
  • male in a shower
  • man in a shower
  • fight
  • briefs
  • brutality
  • urination
  • shaving someone's head
  • friendship
  • man in a cage
  • gambling
  • anal rape
  • muay thai
  • 2000s
  • brief male frontal nudity
  • based on true story
  • boxing ring
  • thai boxer
  • hanging
  • hanging body
  • suicide by hanging
  • blood
  • tattooing
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Cast & crew

A Prayer Before Dawn Cast & Characters

Joe Cole leads the cast as Billy Moore, with Billy Moore as Billy Moore's Father and Panya Yimmumphai as Keng. Directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire; 11 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

More films directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, best-rated first: Johnny Mad Dog and Asphalt City.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Prayer Before Dawn Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Prayer Before Dawn 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

A Prayer Before Dawn Echo Score Breakdown

In A Prayer Before Dawn the film stands out for its uncompromising authenticity and visceral intensity. The narrative unfolds through stark production design and bold directorial choices that immerse viewers in a claustrophobic environment. Joe Cole’s raw performance anchors the emotional journey, while the sensory elements—from sound design to cinematography—maintain a relentless tension. Despite occasional pacing challenges and its punishing atmosphere, the film’s cumulative craftsmanship and thematic depth leave a lasting impact. Overall, it delivers a powerful but demanding cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its stark production design and bold visual compositions. The director’s austere framing and unflinching editing choices reinforce the narrative’s raw atmosphere. Cinematography employs controlled lighting and handheld camera work to heighten immediacy. Overall, these elements coalesce into a disciplined yet striking aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    In terms of character and emotion, the film is anchored by a raw lead performance that conveys rage, guilt, and vulnerability. The depiction of interpersonal dynamics within the prison underscores moments of grace and human connection amid despair. Emotional resonance is heightened by authentic portrayals and sparing translation. Overall, the performances deliver a compelling depth of feeling.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative charts a straightforward yet potent journey through addiction and redemption. Measured pacing accentuates both intense confrontations and quieter character moments, although its relentless progression can feel exhausting. The sequence of events remains coherent but unforgiving. Overall, the film sustains engagement through visceral stakes and thematic consistency.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film immerses viewers in a visceral soundscape and uncompromising visual style. The raw sound design emphasizes environmental details while a restrained musical score underlines tension. Cinematography favors handheld and low-light techniques to enhance immediacy. Overall, the cohesive interplay of audio and visuals delivers a powerful, immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When it comes to rewatch factor, the film’s relentless intensity and unflinching atmosphere may limit repeat viewings. While its thematic depth and technical discipline encourage appreciation of nuance, the punishing tone and slow narrative rhythm can feel draining on subsequent viewings. Overall, the movie maintains strong artistic merit but presents a challenging prospect for rewatch.

Plot

A Prayer Before Dawn Plot Summary

What happens in A Prayer Before Dawn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Billy Moore, a young British boxer grappling with heroin addiction, finds himself incarcerated in Thailand after being caught with stolen goods and a firearm. Thrust into the unforgiving environment of Klong Prem prison, he quickly learns the harsh realities of his new surroundings. As he is forced into a cramped cell ruled by the intimidating cell boss Keng, Billy faces unimaginable horrors—sleeping next to a corpse and witnessing the brutal assault of a fellow inmate at knifepoint. The atmosphere around him is fraught with peril, leading to a violent episode where he viciously bites a corrections officer’s neck in a fit of despair after being denied medication.

Full summary

The whole story of A Prayer Before Dawn, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Prayer Before Dawn Box Office

A Prayer Before Dawn grossed $958,883 worldwide. $14,453 came from the US and Canada and $944,430 (98%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$958.9K

US & Canada
$14.5K
International
$944.4K
US & Canada 2% Rest of the world 98%
Videos

A Prayer Before Dawn Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

A Prayer Before Dawn | Official Trailer HD | A24
  • Trailer A Prayer Before Dawn - Classic Trailer (2017) - HanWay Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Prayer Before Dawn?

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

What is Billy Moore's main struggle throughout the film?

Cars

Cars in A Prayer Before Dawn

7 cars on screen, including the 2010 Toyota Commuter and the Chevrolet Sonic.

All 7 cars
  • 2010 Toyota Commuter in A Prayer Before Dawn 2010 Toyota Commuter Minor role
  • Chevrolet Sonic in A Prayer Before Dawn Chevrolet Sonic Background role
  • Hino AK 176 in A Prayer Before Dawn Hino AK 176 Background role
  • 2012 Isuzu D-Max in A Prayer Before Dawn 2012 Isuzu D-Max Background role
Details

A Prayer Before Dawn Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Hapishanede Bir Boksör” and “Une prière avant l'aube”.

Also known as
  • Hapishanede Bir Boksör
  • Une prière avant l'aube
  • Бої без правил
  • Молитва перед світанком
  • A
  • Modlitba Před Úsvitem
  • บทสวดก่อนฟ้าสาง
  • 여명의 기도
  • Modlitwa przed świtem
  • Молитва преди зазоряване
  • Бои без правил
  • 炼狱信使
+14 more
  • Uma Prece Antes do Amanhecer
  • Prece ao Nascer do Dia
  • תפילה לפני עלות השחר
  • A kíméletlen
  • Malda prieš aušrą
  • Una oración antes del amanecer
  • Προσευχήσου Πριν Πεθάνεις
  • A Prayer before Dawn - Das letzte Gebet
  • Şafaktan Önce
  • Una preghiera prima dell'alba
  • 煉獄信使
  • 暁に祈れ
  • Molitev pred zoro
  • Lời Cầu Nguyện Trước Bình Minh

Seen A Prayer Before Dawn?

FAQ

A Prayer Before Dawn FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is A Prayer Before Dawn?

A Prayer Before Dawn runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was A Prayer Before Dawn released?

A Prayer Before Dawn was released on August 10, 2018.

Who directed A Prayer Before Dawn?

A Prayer Before Dawn was directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire.

More films by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire

Who is in the cast of A Prayer Before Dawn?

A Prayer Before Dawn stars Joe Cole as Billy Moore, Billy Moore as Billy Moore's Father and Panya Yimmumphai as Keng, among 11 credited actors.

How much did A Prayer Before Dawn make at the box office?

A Prayer Before Dawn grossed $958,883 worldwide ($14,453 domestic, $944,430 international).

How is A Prayer Before Dawn rated?

A Prayer Before Dawn has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does A Prayer Before Dawn have a post-credit scene?

No. A Prayer Before Dawn has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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