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Action thriller

A Score to Settle (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

A Score to Settle (2019) movie poster

A Score to Settle is a 2019 action thriller directed by Shawn Ku, starring Nicolas Cage as Frank Carver, Noah Le Gros and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $171,216 worldwide. Critics gave it 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Stream it on Hoopla and Philo, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
16%
worldwide gross
$171.2K
Echo Score
35
A Score to Settle (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Shawn Ku
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Score to Settle About?

The premise of A Score to Settle without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After serving nineteen years in prison, a hardened mob enforcer seeks retribution against those who betrayed him. Facing a terminal illness and with limited time, he meticulously plans and carries out a violent reckoning. His quest for vengeance involves confronting former associates and settling old scores, leaving a path of destruction and deadly consequences in his wake.

A Score to Settle Themes & Keywords

· 48 tags
  • retribution
  • release from prison
  • release from jail
  • father son relationship
  • ex convict
  • beaten to death with a baseball bat
  • medical checkup
  • insomnia
  • insomniac
  • paroled convict
  • parolee
  • buried money
+36 more
  • murder evidence
  • murder weapon
  • taking the blame for someone else
  • flashback
  • revenge
  • vengeance
  • illegal gun purchase
  • arms dealer
  • montage
  • shopping spree
  • father son bonding
  • sex scene
  • nineteen year prison sentence
  • prostitute
  • sex in a car
  • hallucination
  • faked death
  • mobster
  • shot to death
  • shot in the head
  • fatal illness
  • pimp
  • drug overdose
  • drug addict
  • visiting a grave
  • nursing home
  • care home
  • gunshot wound
  • bullet wound
  • suicide-by-cop
  • double cross
  • female rear nudity
  • female nudity
  • wound
  • wrongful conviction
  • woman on top
Where to watch

Where to Watch A Score to Settle

Stream it on Hoopla and Philo, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

A Score to Settle Cast & Characters

Nicolas Cage leads the cast as Frank Carver, with Noah Le Gros as Joey Carver and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon as Max. Directed by Shawn Ku; 16 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Score to Settle

· 12 more
Ratings

A Score to Settle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Score to Settle 16% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in character & emotion (45) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

35 /100

A Score to Settle Echo Score Breakdown

A Score to Settle struggles to rise above its familiar structure, with critics and audiences pointing to a lack of originality and uneven execution. While Nicolas Cage’s presence provides occasional moments of intensity, the narrative’s reliance on clichés undercuts its potential impact. Pacing issues and unfulfilled subplots contribute to a sense of predictability, despite a late twist that garners some appreciation. Overall, the film’s sporadic strengths in performance are outweighed by its derivative storytelling and limited engagement.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of art and craft, the film adheres to standard genre conventions without notable visual innovation. Direction and production design are serviceable but uninspired, providing functional setups for action sequences. Editing choices occasionally disrupt flow rather than enhance tension, and cinematography lacks a distinctive style. Altogether, the technical elements remain competent but fail to elevate the material beyond routine execution.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to character and emotion, Nicolas Cage’s committed performance stands out amid otherwise thinly developed roles. Lead portrayal offers moments of expressive intensity, yet supporting characters lack depth and chemistry, diminishing emotional resonance. Dialogue occasionally veers toward the histrionic, undermining credibility. While Cage’s presence injects energy, the limited complexity of the ensemble hinders sustained engagement with the characters.

  • Story & Flow 40

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative relies heavily on revenge-thriller clichés and predictable plot turns. Initial pacing feels sluggish, with minimal action until a late-stage twist delivers a brief surge of interest. Plot mechanics remain serviceable but offer little in originality, resulting in an underwhelming progression. Despite a more engaging third act, the overall coherence is weighed down by formulaic storytelling and unfulfilled subplots.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design are present but unremarkable, providing basic tension cues without memorable motifs. Visual style adheres to conventional framing and lighting rather than cultivating a unique aesthetic. Action scenes are technically competent yet lack the visceral impact often expected from the genre. Overall, the film’s sensory elements support the narrative adequately but do not distinguish themselves.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    As for rewatch factor, the film’s repetitive revenge structure and reliance on familiar tropes limit its lasting appeal. While dedicated fans of Nicolas Cage may appreciate certain heightened moments on repeat viewings, the overall lack of novelty and narrative surprises curtails enthusiasm for subsequent watches. The sparse emotional depth and predictable progression contribute to a minimal inclination to revisit the film.

Plot

A Score to Settle Plot Summary

What happens in A Score to Settle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As Frank Carver stepped out of the prison gates in 2020, he was not just leaving a physical confinement behind; he carried with him the heavy burden of a tumultuous past. Nineteen long years had elapsed since Max, the merciless mob enforcer, had ordered the execution of a former confidant, framing Frank as the unsuspecting scapegoat. In return for a six-year prison sentence and the promise to look after his son Joey after the tragic death of Lorraine, Frank accepted the blame. Yet, fate twisted cruelly, extending his time behind bars into a life sentence.

Full summary

The whole story of A Score to Settle, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Score to Settle Box Office

A Score to Settle grossed $171,216 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$171.2K

International
$171.2K
Videos

A Score to Settle Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer International Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Score to Settle?

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

How many years did Frank Carver spend in prison?

Cars

Cars in A Score to Settle

13 cars on screen, including the 2017 Chevrolet Corvette C7 and the 2007 Toyota Camry.

All 13 cars
  • 2017 Chevrolet Corvette C7 in A Score to Settle 2017 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Main role
  • 2007 Toyota Camry in A Score to Settle 2007 Toyota Camry Important role
  • 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit in A Score to Settle 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit Minor role
  • 2015 GMC Yukon XL in A Score to Settle 2015 GMC Yukon XL Minor role
Details

A Score to Settle Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “血债血偿” and “Старые счёты”.

Also known as
  • 血债血偿
  • Старые счёты
  • Ajuste de cuentas
  • Un conto da regolare
  • Розплата
  • Froide vengeance
  • Старые счеты
  • 스코어 투 셔틀
  • Неуредени сметки
  • נקודת מחלוקת
  • Yaşlı Adam
  • 报仇雪恨
+9 more
  • Ajuste de Contas
  • Um Ajuste de Contas
  • 血債血償
  • Czas rozliczenia
  • Krvavé účty
  • Nesuvestos sąskaitos
  • Το Ξεκαθάρισμα
  • ラスト・パニッシャー
  • คนคลั่งปิดบัญชีแค้น

Seen A Score to Settle?

FAQ

A Score to Settle FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Score to Settle, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Score to Settle?

A Score to Settle runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was A Score to Settle released?

A Score to Settle was released on August 2, 2019.

Who directed A Score to Settle?

A Score to Settle was directed by Shawn Ku.

More films by Shawn Ku

Who is in the cast of A Score to Settle?

A Score to Settle stars Nicolas Cage as Frank Carver, Noah Le Gros as Joey Carver and Dave Kenneth MacKinnon as Max, among 16 credited actors.

Where can I watch A Score to Settle?

In the US, A Score to Settle is streaming on Hoopla and Philo and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did A Score to Settle make at the box office?

A Score to Settle grossed $171,216 worldwide.

How is A Score to Settle rated?

A Score to Settle has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 16% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does A Score to Settle have a post-credit scene?

No. A Score to Settle has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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