Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Drama thriller

Don't Let Go (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Don't Let Go (2019) movie poster

Don't Let Go is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, starring David Oyelowo as Jack Radcliff, Brian Tyree Henry and Storm Reid. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $5.3 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
worldwide gross
$5.3M
Echo Score
65
Metascore
49
Loading streaming availability…
Don't Let Go (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Fantasy
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Don't Let Go About?

The premise of Don't Let Go without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A detective grieving the loss of his niece, who was murdered, finds an unexpected way to connect with her spirit. He believes this offers a chance to solve her case and find justice. As they work together, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy that could change their destinies and expose a web of secrets.

Don't Let Go Themes & Keywords

· 27 tags
  • psychotronic film
  • blood
  • smartphone
  • evidence
  • phone call from beyond the grave
  • mystery from beyond the grave
  • changing the past
  • time travel
  • murder of a family
  • second chance
  • creature feature
  • telephone terror
+15 more
  • chewing gum
  • vinyl
  • backpack
  • spray paint
  • duct tape
  • hole in door
  • bottle of wine
  • mysterious telephone call
  • whodunit
  • murder mystery
  • uncle niece relationship
  • african american
  • drugs
  • murder
  • whodunnit mystery
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Don't Let Go Cast & Characters

David Oyelowo leads the cast as Jack Radcliff, with Brian Tyree Henry as Garret Radcliff and Storm Reid as Ashley Radcliff. Directed by Jacob Aaron Estes; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Don't Let Go

· 5 more
From the director

More from Jacob Aaron Estes

More films directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, best-rated first: Mean Creek and The Details.

Full filmography
Ratings

Don't Let Go Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Don't Let Go 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (50).

65 /100

Don't Let Go Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s central strength lies in its strong cast performances and effective tension building, though it suffers from uneven writing. Critiques highlight the credible and engaging turns by David Oyelowo and Storm Reid as key anchors, while others note that plot logic and mechanism receive cursory treatment and occasionally slip into implausibility. Several observers praise the low‐budget filmmaking for its claustrophobic intimacy and clear visual style, yet caution that the narrative’s convolutions hinder emotional payoff. Overall, the film delivers intermittent thrills but falls short of its thematic ambitions.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film combines crisp cinematography and efficient editing with occasionally routine directorial choices. Multiple comments praise the spookiness of emptied‐out spaces and the clear low‐budget production values, while some note that genre tropes and workaday filmmaking undercut visual innovation. Overall, the art direction supports mood effectively but lacks consistent inventiveness.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is buoyed by confident performances and believable relationships. Critics and audience alike emphasize David Oyelowo’s committed portrayal and Storm Reid’s engaging presence, complemented by a succinct supporting turn. Even noted flaws in emotional depth are mitigated by genuine chemistry. In sum, the acting conveys sincerity and anchors the narrative.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the film faces uneven pacing and recurring coherence issues. Reviewers point out that time-travel logic slips into convoluted territory and that workaday writing undercuts the intriguing premise. Some viewers appreciate the novel twist, yet others find the narrative thickets hinder engagement. Overall, the storyline feels promising but inconsistently executed.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the film delivers a coherent visual style supported by a clear sound design, though musical elements receive little notice. Critics commend the editing for maintaining tension and the cinematography for amplifying claustrophobic mood in emptied spaces. Overall, the sensory components solidify atmosphere but do not stand out independently.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    As for rewatch factor, audience responses are mixed between appreciating the surprising twist and noting predictability upon subsequent viewings. Some recognize memorable scenes and emotional resonance that invite repeat engagement, while others remark on contrivances and pacing slowdowns that undercut lasting appeal. In conclusion, the film offers intermittent replay value but lacks consistent depth.

Plot

Don't Let Go Plot Summary

What happens in Don't Let Go from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film commences with Ashley Radcliff (Storm Reid) calling her detective uncle Jack (David Oyelowo) to rescue her from the movies after her father forgets to pick her up and her mother is preoccupied. Jack responds promptly, taking her to a diner where they enjoy a meal together. Amid their conversation, they discuss Ashley’s father, Garret (Brian Tyree Henry), an aspiring musician turned drug dealer, whom both Jack and Ashley view as a failure. Determined to help, Jack vows to get Garret back on track.

Full summary

The whole story of Don't Let Go, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Don't Let Go Box Office & Budget

Don't Let Go grossed $5.3 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 1.1 times what it cost. $5.2 million came from the US and Canada and $72,949 (1%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.3M

1.1× its budget

US & Canada
$5.2M
International
$72.9K
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 99% Rest of the world 1%
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Don't Let Go?

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 does Jack Ratcliff have to rescue at the beginning of the movie?

Cars

Cars in Don't Let Go

59 cars on screen, including the 2006 Dodge Magnum and the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.

All 59 cars
  • 2006 Dodge Magnum in Don't Let Go 2006 Dodge Magnum Main role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Don't Let Go 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
  • 2007 Lincoln Navigator in Don't Let Go 2007 Lincoln Navigator Important role
  • 2011 BMW 528i F10 in Don't Let Go 2011 BMW 528i F10 Minor role
Details

Don't Let Go Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Relive” and “别放手”.

Also known as
  • Relive
  • 别放手
  • 돈 렛 고
  • Correndo Contra o Tempo
  • Crimen a contrarreloj
  • Не отпускай
  • Не відпускай
  • אל תעזבי
  • Ne engedd el!
  • Nepaleisk
  • لا تتركها تذهب
  • อย่าให้รอด
+6 more
  • Nevzdávej to
  • Gitmesine İzin Verme Don't Let Go
  • لا تستسلم
  • उसे जाने मत दो
  • ドント・レット・ゴー -過去からの叫び-
  • 別放手

Seen Don't Let Go?

FAQ

Don't Let Go FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Don't Let Go, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Don't Let Go?

Don't Let Go runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Don't Let Go released?

Don't Let Go was released on August 30, 2019.

Who directed Don't Let Go?

Don't Let Go was directed by Jacob Aaron Estes.

More films by Jacob Aaron Estes

Who is in the cast of Don't Let Go?

Don't Let Go stars David Oyelowo as Jack Radcliff, Brian Tyree Henry as Garret Radcliff and Storm Reid as Ashley Radcliff, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Don't Let Go make at the box office?

Don't Let Go grossed $5.3 million worldwide ($5.2 million domestic, $72,949 international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is Don't Let Go rated?

Don't Let Go has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 49 on Metacritic, 91% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Don't Let Go have a post-credit scene?

No. Don't Let Go has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app