Bull (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Bull is a 2020 drama directed by Annie Silverstein, starring Amber Havard as Kris, Rob Morgan and Yolonda Ross. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $17,716 worldwide on a $85.9 million budget. Critics gave it 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Annie Silverstein
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- Budget
- $85.9M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Bull About?
The premise of Bull without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Kris, a spirited 14-year-old, finds her impulsive behavior leading to trouble when she damages a neighbor's property. As a consequence, she's tasked with assisting Abe Turner, a retired rodeo star facing challenges outside the competitive circuit. Together, they navigate the Texas rodeo scene, and Kris discovers a newfound passion while Abe grapples with the realities of aging and past injuries. Their unexpected connection offers a chance for both to find direction and avoid further complications.
Bull Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- bullet train
- train
- assassin
- fight on a train
- japan
- tokyo japan
- tough guy
- revenge
- mission
- hitman
- satire
- anger
+38 more Show fewer
- japanese
- luck
- train trip
- gunfight
- train movie
- two word title
- villainess
- anti hero
- firecracker
- yakuza
- american abroad
- cockney accent
- train conductor
- kyoto japan
- train station
- blood on shirt
- scene during end credits
- surprise during end credits
- russian roulette
- revolver
- fistfight
- snake venom
- martial arts
- woman fights a man
- accidental killing
- nurse
- wedding
- father son relationship
- train derailment
- two against many
- death of wife
- runaway train
- hitwoman
- female assassin
- hired killer
- contract killer
- younger version of character
- drugged drink
Bull Cast & Characters
Amber Havard leads the cast as Kris, with Rob Morgan as Abe and Yolonda Ross as Sheila. Directed by Annie Silverstein; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Annie Silverstein
- Amber Havard as Kris
-
Rob Morgan as Abe - Yolonda Ross as Sheila
- Lee Stringer as Dr. Frank
Also Starring in Bull
· 6 more- Peggy Schott
- Karla Garbelotto Officer Diaz
- Keeli Wheeler Marjorie
- Keira Bennett Chance
- Troy Hogan
- James Schuler
More from Annie Silverstein
One more film directed by Annie Silverstein: Skunk.
Bull Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Bull 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Bull Echo Score Breakdown
Bull demonstrates considerable strengths in its visual and performative elements while struggling with narrative cohesion. Critics highlight Annie Silverstein’s patient camera work and the understated precision of Morgan’s portrayal, and one review notes its immersive sense of place and tension. However, several voices, including a user reviewer, point to a home stretch that loses narrative focus and character resolution. Overall, the film leaves a more lasting impression for its craft than its plot mechanics.
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 visual craft, Bull delivers consistently strong results through its restrained yet evocative cinematography. Observers commend the film’s ability to capture rural landscapes and subtle facial expressions with deliberate framing and unhurried editing. This slice-of-life approach is praised for preserving a coherent sense of place and atmosphere. The film’s art direction and production design cohere well, contributing to a polished and immersive aesthetic experience.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Bull is anchored by thoughtful performances that convey depth through understatement. Reviews emphasize Morgan’s calm and concentrated manner alongside Havard’s quietly eloquent presence, which together create credible emotional resonance. Some criticism arises around underdeveloped arcs and occasional detachment in the final act, but the central duo maintains audience investment. Overall, the film’s emotional core is compelling even if certain relationships feel underexplored.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of story and flow, Bull often adopts a deliberately measured pace that can feel overly languorous. Critics and a user reviewer point out that narrative threads introduced early on are not fully resolved, leading to a sense of fragmentation in the final act. While the film’s quiet approach is original and engaging at times, the coherence of its plot and character motivations falters. Consequently, the pacing undermines some of the film’s intended dramatic momentum.
- Sensory Experience 75
Regarding the sensory experience, Bull offers an immersive sound and visual design that underlines its intimate atmosphere. The film’s restrained soundtrack and naturalistic sound design heighten moments of tension, while handheld camerawork and muted color palettes reinforce its earthy realism. Reviewers note the suffocating tension of the rodeo scenes and the cohesive visual style that evokes a lived-in environment. The sensory elements contribute effectively to the film’s tone and emotional texture.
- Rewatch Factor 65
When considering rewatch value, Bull presents a nuanced drama that benefits from attentive viewing but may not sustain multiple returns. Its slow-burning narrative and emphasis on subtle performances reward close inspection of visual and emotional details. However, the film’s limited plot resolution and subdued dramatic peaks could lessen its appeal on subsequent viewings. Overall, the movie offers moderate lasting appeal for those drawn to its atmosphere and character work rather than its storyline.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 65 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
6 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.1 /5
See on Movie Insider
Bull Plot Summary
What happens in Bull from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Tokyo, the relentless pursuit of vengeance drives Yuichi Kimura (Rob Morgan) as he seeks justice after his son Wataru is tragically pushed off a rooftop, leading him to be warned by The Elder (Hiroyuki Sanada) to board a bullet train that night. Meanwhile, under the guidance of his handler Maria (Sandra Bullock), the seasoned assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt), who battles anxiety and considers himself exceptionally unlucky, is tasked with retrieving a briefcase onboard that same bullet train headed for Kyoto. This mission comes as a result of a prior contract with Carver, who unexpectedly calls in sick.
Full summary
The whole story of Bull, scene by scene
Bull Box Office & Budget
Bull grossed $17,716 worldwide on a $85.9 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$17.7K
- International
- $17.7K
- Budget
- $85.9M
Bull Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 3 trailers, 1 clip and 1 featurette.
- Trailer UK Theatrical Trailer
- Trailer Official US Trailer
- Clip Bull | The Threat Clip | Feat David Hayman, Paul Andrew Williams and Tamzin Outhwaite
- Featurette Mark Kermode reviews Bull (2021) | BFI Player
How Well Do You Know Bull?
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 tasked with seeking revenge for his son Wataru?
Seen Bull?
Movies Like Bull
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bullet Train, Bull and Bullies.
Bull FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Bull, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Bull?
Bull runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Bull released?
Bull was released on May 1, 2020.
Who directed Bull?
Bull was directed by Annie Silverstein.
More films by Annie Silverstein Who is in the cast of Bull?
Bull stars Amber Havard as Kris, Rob Morgan as Abe and Yolonda Ross as Sheila, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Bull make at the box office?
Bull grossed $17,716 worldwide on a budget of $85.9 million.
How is Bull rated?
Bull has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 65 on Metacritic, 64% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Bull have a post-credit scene?
No. Bull has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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