Chi-Raq (2015): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Chi-Raq is a 2015 drama musical directed by Spike Lee, starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack and Angela Bassett. It is based on Lysistrata and Other Plays by Aristophanes and Alan H. Sommerstein. It runs 2 hours 7 minutes and earned $2.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
English What Is Chi-Raq About?
The premise of Chi-Raq without spoilers, adapted from Lysistrata and Other Plays by Aristophanes and Alan H. Sommerstein. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Inspired by Lysistrata, this provocative drama follows a young activist who rallies women on Chicago's South Side to withhold relations until the men in their lives give up their guns and embrace peace. The movement gains momentum, challenging the cycle of violence and sparking a powerful dialogue about community, responsibility, and the fight for a better future.
Chi-Raq Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- hood
- satire comedy
- female rear nudity
- female topless nudity
- dark comedy
- violence
- murder
- chastity belt
- crying woman
- controversy
- black slang
- racism
+38 more Show fewer
- gangster
- melancholy
- sadness
- death
- hate
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- paraplegic
- street gang
- liberty
- arrest
- urban decay
- urban setting
- gunfight
- dead child
- wheelchair
- rap music
- drive by shooting
- profanity
- activist
- confession
- protest
- police
- human rights
- civil rights
- tragedy
- title appears in song
- caught having sex
- female nudity
- male nudity
- funeral
- preacher
- bereavement
- redemption
- freedom
- arson
- uzi
- confederate flag
- american flag
Chi-Raq Cast
Samuel L. Jackson leads the cast, with John Cusack and Angela Bassett. Directed by Spike Lee; 9 actors are credited in all.
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Director Spike Lee
Also Starring in Chi-Raq
· 5 moreMore from Spike Lee
More films directed by Spike Lee, best-rated first: David Byrne’s American Utopia, BlacKkKlansman, Do the Right Thing and Pass Over.
Chi-Raq Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Chi-Raq 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
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IMDb 5.9 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 82% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 53%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 5.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
10 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Chi-Raq Plot Summary
What happens in Chi-Raq from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the South Side of Chicago, a fierce battle unfolds between two rival factions: the Spartans, headed by the charismatic rapper and gang leader Demetrius Dupree, known as “Chi-Raq,” and the opposing Trojans, commanded by the formidable gang lord Cyclops. As the tale unfolds through the eyes of Dolemedes, we witness the chaos and violence that permeates the streets, culminating in tragic events that deeply affect Demetrius’s partner, Lysistrata. Her disillusionment grows after a series of harrowing incidents, including a shootout at Demetrius’s concert, a devastating arson attack on their home while they share an intimate moment, and the heartbreaking loss of young Patti, whose death unfolds as the tragic outcome of a gang-related shooting, tragically linked to Irene.
Full summary
The whole story of Chi-Raq, scene by scene
Chi-Raq Box Office
Chi-Raq grossed $2.7 million worldwide. $2.7 million came from the US and Canada and $66,667 (2%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.7M
- US & Canada
- $2.7M
- International
- $66.7K
Chi-Raq Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 3 teasers and 1 featurette.
- Teaser Chi-Raq - Critic Review 30 sec | Amazon Studios
- Teaser Chi-Raq - Fight 30 sec | Amazon Studios
- Teaser Chi-Raq - Cast Run 30 sec | Amazon Studios
- Featurette Chi-Raq - Featurette | Amazon Studios
How Well Do You Know Chi-Raq?
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
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- 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 that leads the sex strike in Chi-Raq?
Chi-Raq Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “시라크” and “芝拉克”.
- Also known as
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- 시라크
- 芝拉克
- Чирак
- Чі-рак
- Σάϊ-Ρακ
- ชิ-รัก
Seen Chi-Raq?
Movies Like Chi-Raq
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Detroit, Queen & Slim and Chicago Overcoat.
Chi-Raq FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Chi-Raq, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Chi-Raq?
Chi-Raq runs 2 hours 7 minutes (127 minutes).
When was Chi-Raq released?
Chi-Raq was released on December 4, 2015.
Who directed Chi-Raq?
Chi-Raq was directed by Spike Lee.
More films by Spike Lee Who is in the cast of Chi-Raq?
Chi-Raq stars Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack and Angela Bassett, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Chi-Raq make at the box office?
Chi-Raq grossed $2.7 million worldwide ($2.7 million domestic, $66,667 international).
How is Chi-Raq rated?
Chi-Raq has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.
Is Chi-Raq based on a book?
Yes. Chi-Raq is adapted from Lysistrata and Other Plays by Aristophanes and Alan H. Sommerstein.
Does Chi-Raq have a post-credit scene?
No. Chi-Raq has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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