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Drama thriller

Bruised (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Bruised (2021) movie poster

Bruised is a 2021 drama thriller starring Halle Berry as Jackie Justice, Adan Canto and Shamier Anderson. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and was made on a reported $11 million budget. Critics gave it 52 on Metacritic.

Echo Score
65
Metascore
52
budget
$11M
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Bruised (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Genres
Drama , Sport , Thriller
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$11M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bruised About?

The premise of Bruised without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Jackie Justice, a former mixed martial arts fighter, seeks redemption after abandoning the sport and facing deep regret. Pulled back into the underground fighting world by her manager and boyfriend, she’s offered a chance to reclaim her past success. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she’s confronted by a son she gave up years prior. This encounter forces her to embark on a journey of self-discovery and confront the demons that have haunted her.

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Cast & crew

Bruised Cast & Characters

Halle Berry leads the cast as Jackie Justice, with Adan Canto as Desi and Shamier Anderson as Immaculate.

Ratings

Bruised Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bruised 52 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (55).

65 /100

Bruised Echo Score Breakdown

Bruised delivers a gritty visual presentation and moments of compelling physical performance, but its narrative is weighed down by formulaic storytelling and uneven character development. Critics note the film’s strong fight choreography and occasional emotional resonance, while many point to predictable pacing and a cluttered script. User feedback mirrors this split, praising the technical execution yet criticizing the lack of dramatic depth. Overall, the film offers intermittent satisfaction but struggles to sustain engagement across its runtime.

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

  • Art & Craft 62

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows a gritty visual style and effective fight choreography, but overall direction feels overscaled and clichéd. Critics acknowledge the director's assuredness in certain scenes, yet many cite a lack of immersion and predictable staging. The mixed technical reception results in a modest appraisal of the film’s artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances vary from vigorous to stilted. Halle Berry’s portrayal receives consistent praise, and supporting actors add depth, especially the child’s innocence. However, several reviewers describe dialogue and acting as uneven, reducing overall impact. The net effect is a moderately positive view of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Story and flow suffer from formulaic plotting and predictable pacing. Critics and users alike mention cliché beats and an overlong narrative that hampers immersion. While the climactic fight offers a burst of excitement, the surrounding story often feels lightweight and unfocused, leading to a below‑average assessment of narrative quality.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience benefits from striking fight sequences and competent technical production. Reviewers highlight electrifying combat scenes and a solid visual aesthetic. Though soundtrack and sound design receive limited commentary, the overall sensory impact is positive, supported by effective choreography and a gritty visual palette.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch factor is bolstered by memorable fight choreography and Berry’s committed performance, which some viewers find rewarding on subsequent viewings. Nonetheless, predictable scripting and uneven pacing diminish long‑term appeal for many. The balance of engaging moments with narrative drawbacks yields a generally favorable, though not outstanding, replay value.

Plot

Bruised Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Bruised 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

Four years after forfeiting a major fight, Jackie Justice lives with her boyfriend and manager, Desi in the heart of inner-city Newark, earning a living as a housecleaner. She relies on alcohol to cope with the tedium of her daily life. Desi pushes Jackie to start fighting again, but she refuses, angrily blaming him for mismanaging her career.

Full summary

The whole story of Bruised, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Bruised Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Bruised.

Bruised | Halle Berry | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bruised?

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 the name of the main character in the film?

Cars

Cars in Bruised

17 cars on screen, including the Ford Crown Victoria and the 2011 Nissan Rogue.

All 17 cars
  • Ford Crown Victoria in Bruised Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2011 Nissan Rogue in Bruised 2011 Nissan Rogue Minor role
  • 2003 Chevrolet Express in Bruised 2003 Chevrolet Express Background role
  • 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan in Bruised 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Background role
Details

Bruised Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “В синяках” and “Herida”.

Also known as
  • В синяках
  • Herida
  • 伤痕累累
  • 逆转擂台
  • Удары
  • 재키의 링
  • Bruised - Lottare per vivere
  • Синці
  • Ferida
  • Megsebezve
  • Meurtrie
  • צלקות
+13 more
  • ブルーズド ~打ちのめされても~
  • Modřiny
  • Poobijana
  • Modrice
  • У модрицама
  • كدمات و صدمات
  • Насинени
  • นักสู้นอกกรง
  • Smūgiai
  • Cicatrici
  • Võ Đài Của Jackie
  • Modrica
  • 逆轉擂台

Seen Bruised?

FAQ

Bruised FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bruised, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bruised?

Bruised runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was Bruised released?

Bruised was released on November 17, 2021.

Who is in the cast of Bruised?

Bruised stars Halle Berry as Jackie Justice, Adan Canto as Desi and Shamier Anderson as Immaculate, among 20 credited actors.

What was the budget of Bruised?

Bruised had a reported budget of $11 million.

How is Bruised rated?

Bruised has 52 on Metacritic, 69% on TMDB, 2.9/5 on Letterboxd and 4.1/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Bruised have a post-credit scene?

No. Bruised has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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