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What's After the Movie?
Crime adventure film

F9 (2021): Cast, Ratings & Ending

F9 (2021) movie poster

F9 is a 2021 crime adventure film directed by Justin Lin, starring Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, John Cena and J. D. Pardo. It runs 2 hours 23 minutes and was made on a reported $200 million budget. Its Echo Score is 54/100.

Echo Score
54
budget
$200M
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F9 (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 23m (143 min)
Director
Justin Lin
Genres
Crime , Adventure , Action
Original language
English
Budget
$200M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is F9 About?

The premise of F9 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Not all blood is family. Dominic Toretto and his crew battle the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they’ve ever encountered: his forsaken brother.

F9 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • fast and furious franchise
  • car
  • gunfight
  • shootout
  • gun battle
  • shot in the chest
  • shot in the back
  • shot to death
  • held at gunpoint
  • outer space
  • pistol
  • machine gun
+38 more
  • shotgun
  • ak 47
  • car chase
  • sequel
  • dominic toretto character
  • car crash
  • shared universe
  • motor vehicle
  • vehicle
  • no opening credits
  • no title at beginning
  • title at the end
  • scene during end credits
  • surprise during end credits
  • flash drive
  • punching bag
  • year 1989
  • bald hero
  • action hero
  • anti hero
  • tough guy
  • warrior
  • action heroine
  • anti heroine
  • tough girl
  • woman punches a man
  • kicked in the stomach
  • beating
  • fight to the death
  • stylized violence
  • fistfight
  • fight
  • brawl
  • martial arts
  • mixed martial arts
  • hand to hand combat
  • dual wield
  • slow motion scene
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Cast & crew

F9 Cast & Characters

Vin Diesel leads the cast as Dominic Toretto, with John Cena as Jakob Toretto and J. D. Pardo as Jack Toretto. Directed by Justin Lin; 44 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in F9

· 40 more
Show all 44 cast members
From the director

More from Justin Lin

More films directed by Justin Lin, best-rated first: Fast Five, Star Trek Beyond, Fast & Furious 6 and Better Luck Tomorrow.

Full filmography
Ratings

F9 Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in story & flow (40).

54 /100

F9 Echo Score Breakdown

F9 delivers a spectacle of high‑octane set pieces and polished visuals, but its narrative cohesion and character depth suffer under the weight of increasingly absurd premises. Critics are split, with some praising the entertainment value of its stunt work while others condemn the plot as chaotic and the character arcs as thin. Audience reactions echo this divide, finding brief laughs yet ultimately viewing the film as a diminishing entry in the franchise. The net impression is a mixed‑to‑negative experience that leans on its sensory flare.

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 direction and production design, F9 excels with ambitious set pieces and high‑budget visual effects. Critics note the meticulously crafted vehicle choreography and standout magnet special effects, while users commend the top‑notch cinematography. However, occasional editing lags are mentioned, tempering the otherwise strong craft. Overall, the film’s art and technical execution are perceived as solid and visually impressive.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When evaluating character work, the film presents a mixed picture. Some reviewers appreciate the chemistry between Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez and the ensemble’s comedic timing. Yet many cite weak narrative integration of new characters, a diluted emotional core, and a loss of established character development, especially surrounding Dom’s brother. The consensus is that performances are serviceable but lack substantive depth.

  • Story & Flow 40

    The story receives the lowest marks due to its convoluted and implausible plot. Critics describe the narrative as overlong, messy, and reliant on generic clichés, while users criticize plot holes, predictable beats, and a departure from the franchise’s original street‑racing premise. A few viewers find the plot entertaining enough when suspending disbelief, but overall coherence and originality are deemed insufficient.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is a relative strength, with reviewers highlighting vivid visuals, extravagant stunt choreography, and impressive special‑effects work. The sound design supports the high‑energy action, and the soundtrack complements the film’s fast‑paced tone. While not universally praised, the sensory elements consistently receive positive remarks, contributing to an engaging watch despite narrative flaws.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Rewatch potential is moderate. Some critics and viewers encourage a second viewing for its sheer spectacle and humor, noting that the film can be enjoyable when approached as a light‑hearted ride. Conversely, many audience members find the novelty wears off quickly due to repetitive formulas and lack of substantive storytelling, resulting in a modest desire to revisit.

Plot

F9 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in F9 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 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1989, Jack Toretto participates in a thrilling late model race on a short track, with his two sons, Dominic “Dom” and Jakob, assisting as part of the pit crew. Tensions escalate when Dom confronts rival racer Kenny Linder over his unsportsmanlike conduct. Unfortunately, during the race, Linder’s car collides with Jack’s, leading to a catastrophic crash that ultimately ends Jack’s life. In the aftermath, Dom is arrested for violently retaliating against Linder, who he believes to be responsible for his father’s death. While serving his sentence, he reflects on how Jakob had worked on their father’s stock car engine the very day of the tragedy and begins to suspect that his brother played a role in Jack’s demise.

Full summary

The whole story of F9, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

F9 Trailers & Videos

34 videos: 6 trailers, 3 teasers, 12 clips and 13 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 34 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer Our Return to Theaters
  • Trailer Director's Cut Trailer
  • Trailer Home Media Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know F9?

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 Dominic Toretto's son?

Cars

Cars in F9

182 cars on screen, including the BMW 5 E60 and the 2010 BMW 5 F10.

All 182 cars
  • BMW 5 E60 in F9 BMW 5 E60 Important role
  • 2010 BMW 5 F10 in F9 2010 BMW 5 F10 Important role
  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo in F9 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Important role
  • 1971 Chevrolet Nova in F9 1971 Chevrolet Nova Important role

Seen F9?

FAQ

F9 FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of F9, each answered in a sentence.

How long is F9?

F9 runs 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).

When was F9 released?

F9 was released on May 19, 2021.

Who directed F9?

F9 was directed by Justin Lin.

More films by Justin Lin

Who is in the cast of F9?

F9 stars Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, John Cena as Jakob Toretto and J. D. Pardo as Jack Toretto, among 44 credited actors.

What was the budget of F9?

F9 had a reported budget of $200 million.

Does F9 have a post-credit scene?

No. F9 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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