
A former boxer, Bradley, finds his life unraveling after losing his job and marriage. Desperate, he takes on a dangerous job as a drug courier, but a violent confrontation leads to his incarceration in a notorious prison. To survive, he must fight his way through a brutal and unforgiving criminal underworld, facing deadly challenges and testing his limits in a desperate fight for survival.
Does Brawl in Cell Block 99 have end credit scenes?
No!
Brawl in Cell Block 99 does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Brawl in Cell Block 99, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Discover where to watch Brawl in Cell Block 99 online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
See how Brawl in Cell Block 99 is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Brawl in Cell Block 99 stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 presents a stark blend of deliberate pacing and visceral violence that defines its central allure. Reviewers praise the film’s patient buildup, which intensifies the subsequent action scenes, and commend Vince Vaughn’s controlled, emotionally resonant lead performance. While some critique the lengthy runtime and occasional implausibility of the protagonist’s invincibility, the unified visual and narrative approach sustains viewer engagement. The result is a compelling grindhouse thriller that balances methodical tension with unflinching brutality for a consistently distinctive cinematic experience.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Brawl in Cell Block 99
Art & Craft
In terms of art and craft, the film’s deliberate direction and stark cinematography consistently reinforce its grindhouse aesthetic. Critics highlighted Zahler’s methodical framing and the crisp digital presentation, while users praised the clean production design and precise editing. A few noted occasional budgetary constraints in background elements, but the overall visual composition and pacing support the film’s raw intensity.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to character and emotion, Vince Vaughn’s restrained performance anchors the narrative with subtle intensity. Reviews commend his ability to balance stoicism with occasional tenderness, and supporting roles add texture without overwhelming the lead. While some viewers question the protagonist’s invincibility and emotional depth in extreme scenarios, the central portrayal maintains consistent weight and focus throughout.
Story & Flow
In terms of story and flow, the film’s patient setup leads into escalating violence with measured pacing. Commentators value the coherent progression from legal entanglement to prison conflict, though a few criticize stretches of implausibility and an overlong runtime. Despite occasional lapses in believability, the narrative sustains engagement through clear motivations and a structured buildup to its climactic confrontation.
Sensory Experience
When considering the sensory experience, the sparse soundtrack and focused sound design underline the film’s unrelenting tension. Observers note that the minimal score accentuates ambient noise and visceral effects, contributing to the brutal atmosphere. Visually, the stark lighting and cohesive color palette reinforce the gritty tone. Although some find the violence excessively graphic, the overall sensory cohesion remains consistent.
Rewatch Factor
As for rewatch factor, the movie’s distinctive style and intense action sequences offer appeal for genre enthusiasts on repeat viewings. Fans may revisit the film to appreciate its deliberate pacing and Vaughn’s nuanced performance. However, the graphic violence and thematic narrowness could limit broader repeat appeal. Ultimately, viewers seeking a unique grindhouse experience will find lasting interest more readily than casual audiences.
79
Metascore
7.0
User Score
90%
TOMATOMETER
73%
User Score
7.1 /10
IMDb Rating
70
%
User Score
3.7
From 221 fan ratings
4.00/5
From 4 fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of Brawl in Cell Block 99 with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
Who is the main character of the film?
Bradley Thomas
Gil
Warden Tuggs
Eleazar
Show hint
Discover all the awards and nominations received by Brawl in Cell Block 99, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Brawl in Cell Block 99 and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
2017 Toronto International Film Festival Awards 2017
Read the complete plot summary of Brawl in Cell Block 99, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
Former boxer and drug mule Bradley Thomas (Vince Vaughn) finds himself in a precarious situation after losing his job at an auto-repair shop. Upon returning home, he discovers his wife, Lauren (Jennifer Carpenter), in her car, chatting with someone on her cellphone. As Bradley draws nearer, he notices a love bite on her neck, prompting Lauren to confess her infidelity. Enraged, he forces her inside the house and subsequently destroys her car with his bare hands. Once he calms down, they sit to discuss their troubled relationship, leading Bradley to forgive Lauren and return to the dark world of drug smuggling.
Fast forward eighteen months, and Bradley and a now pregnant Lauren have upgraded to a larger, more luxurious home. His boss, Gil (Marc Blucas), introduces him to Eleazar, a new business associate, presenting Bradley with a new assignment. The job entails sailing offshore with two of Eleazar’s men to collect a package of crystal meth. Despite his suspicions about one of the men, Roman (Geno Segers), Bradley accepts the job after being promised three months of paternity leave. However, as they arrive at the pier, Bradley senses an operation by the police and urgently instructs his companions to ditch the contraband. While the two men disregard his warning and engage in a shootout with the police, Bradley turns his weapon against them, ultimately resulting in his arrest and a seven-year sentence in a medium-security prison.
The situation escalates dramatically when, on the second day of his incarceration, Lauren is abducted by operatives working for Eleazar. Soon after, Bradley is approached by the Placid Man (Udo Kier), who delivers a chilling ultimatum: in order to save his unborn child, Bradley must assassinate an inmate named Christopher Bridge, located in the maximum-security Redleaf Correctional Facility. With little choice, Bradley agrees to the grim task.
Determined, Bradley orchestrates a confrontation with the guards that lands him in Redleaf, where he meets the harsh Warden Tuggs (Don Johnson). His new cell is a nightmarish space, complete with a grotesquely clogged toilet. Eventually, he learns from a fellow inmate that Christopher Bridge is not even in the facility, prompting him to fight his way into the dreaded cell block 99, where the most notorious criminals are kept. Here, Warden Tuggs enforces brutal punishments, including a shock belt that Bradley is forced to endure as a consequence of a fight.
In cell block 99, Bradley discovers the horrifying truth: the vicious gang led by Eleazar is toying with him, and he is subjected to endless torment. However, using his wits, Bradley meticulously devises a plan to thwart his captors. By crafting a barrier against the shocks, he ambushes Wilson (Tom Guiry) and gains the upper hand, leading to a violent confrontation with Eleazar and his henchmen. In a brutal showdown, Bradley exacts revenge and captures Eleazar, even as he learns that Lauren’s safety hangs in the balance.
A frantic negotiation ensues, followed by a deadly series of events that sees Bradley hold Eleazar hostage, awaiting confirmation of his family’s safety. As tensions peak, the fate of all involved hangs precariously as he battles Warden Tuggs and his men. With the clock ticking, he makes one final threat before turning to meet his fate head-on.
In a profoundly emotional climax, Bradley speaks to his family one last time before expressing his vengeance against Eleazar in a grisly act. Just as he surrenders to the inevitable, he reflects on his remaining moments, leading to a tragic conclusion that leaves viewers stunned as chaos reigns in the prison.
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