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Action thriller

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) movie poster

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is a 2017 action thriller directed by S. Craig Zahler, starring Vince Vaughn as Bradley Thomas, Jennifer Carpenter and Marc Blucas. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes and earned $64,453 worldwide on a $10 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including People's Choice Award, Midnight Madness Second Runner Up at the TIFF 2017. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$64.5K
award nomination
1
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Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 12m (132 min)
Director
S. Craig Zahler
Genres
Action , Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$10M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Brawl in Cell Block 99 About?

The premise of Brawl in Cell Block 99 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

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.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • prison
  • violence
  • prison guard
  • drugs
  • revenge
  • maximum security prison
  • kidnapping
  • murder
  • male nudity
  • former boxer
  • boxer
  • broken arm
+27 more
  • punching through a car window
  • interrogation
  • nudity
  • crushed head
  • bald headed man
  • decapitation
  • shot in the head
  • pregnancy
  • inmate
  • tow truck
  • skull tattoo
  • pool table
  • crystal meth
  • police shootout
  • prison visit
  • nolo contendere plea
  • punching a prison guard
  • torture chamber
  • reference to amnesty international
  • actor breaking typecast
  • grindhouse film
  • f word
  • prison drama
  • shaved head
  • tattoo
  • severed head
  • miller lite beer
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Cast & crew

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Cast & Characters

Vince Vaughn leads the cast as Bradley Thomas, with Jennifer Carpenter as Lauren Thomas and Marc Blucas as Gil. Directed by S. Craig Zahler; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Brawl in Cell Block 99

· 8 more
From the director

More from S. Craig Zahler

More films directed by S. Craig Zahler, best-rated first: Dragged Across Concrete and Bone Tomahawk.

Full filmography
Ratings

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Brawl in Cell Block 99 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

77 /100

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Echo Score Breakdown

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.

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’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 80

    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 70

    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 75

    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 65

    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.

Plot

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Brawl in Cell Block 99 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

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.

Full summary

The whole story of Brawl in Cell Block 99, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Box Office & Budget

Brawl in Cell Block 99 grossed $64,453 worldwide on a $10 million budget.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$64.5K

International
$64.5K
Budget
$10M
Awards

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Awards & Nominations

Brawl in Cell Block 99 earned 1 award nomination, including People's Choice Award, Midnight Madness Second Runner Up at the TIFF 2017.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Brawl in Cell Block 99.

OFFICIAL TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Brawl in Cell Block 99?

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

Who is the main character of the film?

Cars

Cars in Brawl in Cell Block 99

14 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Challenger and the 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula.

All 14 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Challenger in Brawl in Cell Block 99 2015 Dodge Challenger Important role
  • 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula in Brawl in Cell Block 99 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula Important role
  • 1964 Chevrolet Impala in Brawl in Cell Block 99 1964 Chevrolet Impala Minor role
  • Ford Crown Victoria in Brawl in Cell Block 99 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
Details

Brawl in Cell Block 99 Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “Бійня в тюремному блоці №99” and “Драка в блоке 99”.

Also known as
  • Бійня в тюремному блоці №99
  • Драка в блоке 99
  • Καυγάς στο μπλοκ 99
  • Kavgas sto Blok 99
  • Confronto no Pavilhão 99
  • 99号牢房内的博弈
  • 獄煉
  • Section 99
  • Prisionero 99
  • Cell Block 99 - Nessuno può fermarmi
  • Бійка в блоці 99
  • Blok 99
+16 more
  • Скандал в блок 99
  • 困斗99号囚室
  • 창살 속의 혈투
  • מהומה באגף 99
  • Büntető ököl
  • Rixa no Bloco 99
  • 99. Blok
  • Riaušės 99-ajame korpuse
  • 99號牢房的賽局
  • Pretep v jetniškem bloku 99
  • Khu Biệt Giam Số 99
  • คุกเดือด คนเหลือเดน
  • Zatvorski blok 99
  • デンジャラス・プリズン ー牢獄の処刑人ー
  • Celula 99
  • 監獄生死鬥

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FAQ

Brawl in Cell Block 99 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Brawl in Cell Block 99, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Brawl in Cell Block 99?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).

When was Brawl in Cell Block 99 released?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 was released on October 6, 2017.

Who directed Brawl in Cell Block 99?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 was directed by S. Craig Zahler.

More films by S. Craig Zahler

Who is in the cast of Brawl in Cell Block 99?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 stars Vince Vaughn as Bradley Thomas, Jennifer Carpenter as Lauren Thomas and Marc Blucas as Gil, among 12 credited actors.

How much did Brawl in Cell Block 99 make at the box office?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 grossed $64,453 worldwide on a budget of $10 million.

How is Brawl in Cell Block 99 rated?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was Brawl in Cell Block 99 nominated for any awards?

Brawl in Cell Block 99 received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Brawl in Cell Block 99 have a post-credit scene?

No. Brawl in Cell Block 99 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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