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Drama thriller

Lowlife (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Lowlife (2018) movie poster

Lowlife is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Ryan Prows, starring Mark Burnham as Teddy 'Bear' Haynes, Jose Rosete and Santana Dempsey. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
Echo Score
77
Metascore
66
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Lowlife (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Ryan Prows
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Horror , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lowlife About?

The premise of Lowlife without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the shadowy criminal landscape of Los Angeles, a volatile wrestler, a former convict with a haunting tattoo, and a motel owner desperate for a fresh start find their lives intertwined. Their connection pulls them into a dangerous and escalating organ harvesting operation, forcing them to confront a brutal reality where morality is tested and the boundaries of human decency are pushed to their limits. The consequences of their involvement threaten to consume them all.

Lowlife Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • body part
  • organ trafficking
  • organ harvesting
  • nonlinear timeline
  • luchador
  • violence
  • swastika
  • long take
  • motel
  • pregnant woman
  • baby
  • murder
+38 more
  • gun
  • kidnapping
  • graphic violence
  • masked man
  • mask
  • dead body
  • swastika tattoo
  • tattoo on face
  • childhood friend
  • serving prison time for someone else
  • brutal murder
  • human trafficker
  • white slavery ring
  • prostitution ring
  • kidney failure
  • pregnant wife
  • gangster
  • crime ring
  • psychopath
  • sex slave
  • episodic
  • tarantino esque
  • mass murderer
  • ice agent
  • cold blooded killer
  • police raid
  • implied murder
  • sexual slavery
  • kidnapped daughter
  • crime boss
  • corrupt cop
  • mass grave
  • speaking spanish
  • monologue
  • mexican wrestler
  • mental blackout
  • going berserk
  • henchman
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Cast & crew

Lowlife Cast & Characters

Mark Burnham leads the cast as Teddy 'Bear' Haynes, with Jose Rosete as Agent Fowler and Santana Dempsey as Kaylee. Directed by Ryan Prows; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Lowlife

· 6 more
From the director

More from Ryan Prows

More films directed by Ryan Prows, best-rated first: V/H/S/94, Night Patrol and Narcocorrido.

Full filmography
Ratings

Lowlife Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lowlife 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

77 /100

Lowlife Echo Score Breakdown

Lowlife delivers a compelling blend of gritty visual style and original storytelling, anchored by a varied ensemble of memorable characters. Reviews highlight the film’s energetic direction and effects work alongside moments of measured pacing that occasionally feel uneven. The narrative’s nonlinear structure enhances engagement but can also introduce clarity challenges. Overall, the film succeeds as a fresh and unpredictable crime drama with standout production values despite some rough edges.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Lowlife excels with its bold practical effects and inventive production design. Critics praise the film’s splatter-oriented makeup and its ability to feel expansive despite a modest budget. The direction employs a dynamic visual approach that supports the gritty narrative. While editing is at times deliberately chaotic, the overall aesthetic cohesion remains a strong asset.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Lowlife offers a diverse ensemble that resonates with unexpected depth. Reviewers note the balance of imperfection and nobility in the protagonists, creating memorable and sympathetic figures. The multicultural portrayal adds thematic weight without feeling forced. Some performances vary in consistency, but the majority contribute to a compelling emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Lowlife presents an original nonlinear narrative that engages through unpredictability and thematic ambition. Many appreciate the hook of its organ-harvesting plot and how parallel storylines converge effectively. However, some find the sociopolitical commentary underdeveloped and the structural complexity occasionally hampers clarity. Overall, the plot sustains interest with measured pacing and a satisfying payoff.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, Lowlife leverages its sound and visual design to heighten atmosphere. The soundtrack and score are noted as complementary to the seedy underworld setting, while the visceral gore effects stand out as a key strength. The sound design supports tension, though certain audio moments lack distinctiveness. The combined auditory and visual elements deliver a consistently gritty tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Lowlife offers intriguing moments but may not sustain repeated viewings for all audiences. The nonlinear structure and memorable sequences invite further exploration, yet the uneven pacing and occasional narrative clutter can diminish replay value. Viewers are likely to revisit for standout scenes and character beats, though the overall cohesion may deter frequent reengagement.

Plot

Lowlife Plot Summary

What happens in Lowlife 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

In an unspecified poverty-stricken corner of Los Angeles, a local crime lord, Teddy ‘Bear’ Haynes, runs a taco shack that serves as a front for a human trafficking operation. With the aid of corrupt Agent Fowler, he lures and vanishes illegal immigrants, funneling them into prostitution rings and illegal organ harvesting.

Full summary

The whole story of Lowlife, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Lowlife Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Lowlife – Official Trailer I HD I IFC Midnight
  • Featurette Lowlife - The Making Of I HD I IFC Midnight
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lowlife?

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 the crime lord who runs the taco shack as a front for illegal activities?

Details

Lowlife Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Жизнь подонков” and “로우라이프”.

Also known as
  • Жизнь подонков
  • 로우라이프
  • Chamraď
  • Мизерен живот
  • 下層人
  • 下层人
  • Lowlife - American Bastards

Seen Lowlife?

FAQ

Lowlife FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Lowlife?

Lowlife runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Lowlife released?

Lowlife was released on April 6, 2018.

Who directed Lowlife?

Lowlife was directed by Ryan Prows.

More films by Ryan Prows

Who is in the cast of Lowlife?

Lowlife stars Mark Burnham as Teddy 'Bear' Haynes, Jose Rosete as Agent Fowler and Santana Dempsey as Kaylee, among 10 credited actors.

How is Lowlife rated?

Lowlife has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Lowlife have a post-credit scene?

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

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