Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 12m (132 min)
- Director
- S. Craig Zahler
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- OctoArts Films
- Budget
- $10M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director S. Craig Zahler
-
Vince Vaughn as Bradley Thomas -
Jennifer Carpenter as Lauren Thomas -
Marc Blucas as Gil - Geno Segers as Roman
Also Starring in Brawl in Cell Block 99
· 8 more- Udo Kier Placid Man
- Don Johnson Warden Tuggs
- Tom Guiry Wilson
- Fred Melamed Mr. Irving
- Rob Morgan Jeremy
- Mustafa Shakir Andre
- Pooja Kumar Denise Pawthur
- Dan Amboyer
More from S. Craig Zahler
More films directed by S. Craig Zahler, best-rated first: Dragged Across Concrete and Bone Tomahawk.
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).
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.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 73%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 79 Metascore
User score 7.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
221 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
Brawl in Cell Block 99 Box Office & Budget
Brawl in Cell Block 99 grossed $64,453 worldwide on a $10 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$64.5K
- International
- $64.5K
- Budget
- $10M
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
-
TIFF 2017 1 nomination- Nominated People's Choice Award, Midnight Madness Second Runner Up – S. Craig Zahler
Brawl in Cell Block 99 Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Brawl in Cell Block 99.
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character of the film?
Cars in Brawl in Cell Block 99
14 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Challenger and the 1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula.
-
2015 Dodge Challenger Important role -
1987 Pontiac Firebird Formula Important role -
1964 Chevrolet Impala Minor role -
Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
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 Show fewer
- 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
Seen Brawl in Cell Block 99?
Movies Like Brawl in Cell Block 99
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Cell 211, In Hell and Death Warrant.
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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