Don't Let Go (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Jacob Aaron Estes
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- OTL Releasing
- Budget
- $5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
- Director Jacob Aaron Estes
-
David Oyelowo as Jack Radcliff -
Brian Tyree Henry as Garret Radcliff -
Storm Reid as Ashley Radcliff -
Shinelle Azoroh as Susan Radcliff
Also Starring in Don't Let Go
· 5 more- Mykelti Williamson Bobby Owens
- Byron Mann Sergeant Roger Martin
- Alfred Molina Howard Keleshian
- Omar Leyva Property Officer #1
- Daniel R. Lawson
More from Jacob Aaron Estes
More films directed by Jacob Aaron Estes, best-rated first: Mean Creek and The Details.
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 49 Metascore
User score 6.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 91% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.0 /5
13 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$5.3M
1.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $5.2M
- International
- $72.9K
- Budget
- $5M
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
- 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 does Jack Ratcliff have to rescue at the beginning of the movie?
Cars in Don't Let Go
59 cars on screen, including the 2006 Dodge Magnum and the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.
-
2006 Dodge Magnum Main role -
2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role -
2007 Lincoln Navigator Important role -
2011 BMW 528i F10 Minor role
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 Show fewer
- 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?
Movies Like Don't Let Go
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Don’t Listen, Never Let Go and Don't Go.
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.
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