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Drama thriller

Kings (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Kings (2018) movie poster

Kings is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, starring Halle Berry as Millie Dunbar, Daniel Craig and Issac Ryan Brown. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $910,269 worldwide. Critics gave it 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
10%
worldwide gross
$910.3K
Echo Score
40
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Kings (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Romance , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Kings About?

The premise of Kings without spoilers.

Amidst rising racial tensions and the aftermath of the Rodney King acquittal, a single mother, Millie, finds her life complicated by the arrival of a new child. Her neighbor, Obie, an intriguing and mysterious man, becomes unexpectedly involved in her situation. As chaos and unrest escalate in their community, they must work together to protect Millie's family and navigate the increasingly dangerous circumstances surrounding them.

Kings Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • shoplifting
  • year 1991
  • riot
  • neighbor neighbor relationship
  • false accusation of shoplifting
  • rodney king incident
  • police beating
  • police brutality
  • racism
  • violence
  • family relationships
  • interracial relationship
+38 more
  • black woman white man relationship
  • white male black female relationship
  • year 1992
  • written by director
  • one word title
  • theft
  • shot in the back of one's head
  • videotape
  • toboggan
  • swinging
  • sex scene
  • police
  • police officer
  • kiss
  • blood
  • death
  • female nudity
  • barefoot woman
  • african american
  • shot to death
  • shard of glass
  • la riots
  • stabbed in the abdomen
  • payphone
  • bleeding to death
  • burger king
  • handcuffed to a post
  • lying in a pool of blood
  • sex dream
  • subsistence
  • reference to james brown
  • peeing in pants
  • outdoor nudity
  • man wears boxer shorts
  • woman wears underwear
  • survival
  • bare chested male
  • black woman white man kiss
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Cast & crew

Kings Cast & Characters

Halle Berry leads the cast as Millie Dunbar, with Daniel Craig as Obie Hardison and Issac Ryan Brown as Shawnte. Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven; 17 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Deniz Gamze Ergüven

One more film directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven: Mustang.

Full filmography
Ratings

Kings Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Kings 10% on Rotten Tomatoes and 34 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

40 /100

Kings Echo Score Breakdown

In its attempt to depict a charged historical moment, the film ultimately presents a disjointed narrative that struggles with pacing and coherence. While its visual style and select scenes convey a raw energy and the acting shows moments of depth, the underlying storylines often feel underdeveloped and confusing. The chaotic tone and faltering structure undermine the film’s thematic ambitions. Overall, the movie leaves a fractured impression that balances intermittent strengths against pervasive narrative shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays a striking visual composition alongside erratic editorial choices. The cinematography delivers compelling frames that capture the tense atmosphere, yet frequent cuts and unfocused direction disrupt narrative clarity. The production design supports the period setting effectively, but the inconsistent pacing in editing fragments the viewing experience. Overall, the visual ambition is tempered by uneven technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    In terms of character and emotion, the performances offer occasional sincerity amid shifting narrative focus. The cast delivers measured portrayals that reflect individual motivations, yet character development frequently relies on archetypal outlines without deeper emotional arcs. The chemistry between figures feels intermittently authentic but is undermined by limited backstory. Overall, the emotional resonance remains uneven throughout.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative structure suffers from uneven pacing and incomplete development. Multiple plotlines are introduced without sufficient resolution, creating a fragmented progression that confuses the intended message. While moments of thematic ambition emerge, the overall coherence falters under the weight of an overambitious scope. Overall, the storytelling lacks consistent engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, the film presents a visually compelling aesthetic complemented by an evocative soundtrack. The use of dynamic imagery and layered sound design enhances the sense of tension within riot sequences. However, occasional overreliance on montage and abrupt audio transitions can distract from immersion. Overall, the sensory elements succeed in creating atmosphere despite intermittent inconsistencies.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s uneven structure and unresolved story arcs limit its replay value. While select scenes deliver a striking impression, the chaotic narrative progression can feel repetitive on subsequent viewings. The lack of a cohesive throughline hinders deeper discovery, making it challenging to find new layers. Overall, the movie offers limited incentive for repeated viewings.

Box office

Kings Box Office

Kings grossed $910,269 worldwide. $274,635 came from the US and Canada and $635,634 (70%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$910.3K

US & Canada
$274.6K
International
$635.6K
US & Canada 30% Rest of the world 70%
Videos

Kings Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Kings.

Official US Trailer
Cars

Cars in Kings

40 cars on screen, including the 1985 Ford Mustang and the 1997 Jeep Cherokee.

All 40 cars
  • 1985 Ford Mustang in Kings 1985 Ford Mustang Important role
  • 1997 Jeep Cherokee in Kings 1997 Jeep Cherokee Important role
  • 1987 Volvo 740 in Kings 1987 Volvo 740 Important role
  • 1982 Buick Regal in Kings 1982 Buick Regal Minor role
Details

Kings Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Лос-Анджелес в огне” and “Reyes”.

Also known as
  • Лос-Анджелес в огне
  • Reyes
  • Kings 2017
  • الملوك
  • 킹스
  • קינגס
  • América em Chamas
  • Крале, kings
  • Kings: Los Angeles em Chamas
  • Lázadók
  • 洛杉矶大劫难
  • 暴動之城
+6 more
  • Králové
  • Reis
  • Αμερική στις φλόγες
  • پادشاهان
  • Králi
  • Кінги: Банди Лос-Анджелеса

Seen Kings?

FAQ

Kings FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Kings, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Kings?

Kings runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Kings released?

Kings was released on April 27, 2018.

Who directed Kings?

Kings was directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven.

More films by Deniz Gamze Ergüven

Who is in the cast of Kings?

Kings stars Halle Berry as Millie Dunbar, Daniel Craig as Obie Hardison and Issac Ryan Brown as Shawnte, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Kings make at the box office?

Kings grossed $910,269 worldwide ($274,635 domestic, $635,634 international).

How is Kings rated?

Kings has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, 34 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does Kings have a post-credit scene?

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

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