Madtown (2018): Cast & Ratings
Madtown is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Charles Moore, starring Milo Ventimiglia as Denny Briggs, Rachel Melvin and John Billingsley. It runs 2 hours and was made on a reported $50,000 budget. IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h (120 min)
- Director
- Charles Moore
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- SP Distribution
- Budget
- $50K
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Madtown About?
The premise of Madtown without spoilers.
A comedian's life takes a dark turn when a shocking onstage confession reveals he committed murder. As his sister is released from prison, he navigates a complex web of deceit and grapples with the consequences of his actions. He finds solace and connection with a surrogate family, but must ultimately confront the toxic relationships that have shaped his life and decide between loyalty and the possibility of a more harmonious future.
Madtown Themes & Keywords
· 20 tags- comedy club
- stand up comedian
- interview
- resume
- family restaurant
- jail visit
- reference to lenny bruce
- murder trial
- vinyl record
- city bus
- brother sister relationship
- unplugging a toilet
+8 more Show fewer
- surprise party
- birthday
- shot in the chest
- shot in the head
- shot to death
- suicide by gunshot
- killing a police officer
- reference to niagara falls
Madtown Cast & Characters
Milo Ventimiglia leads the cast as Denny Briggs, with Rachel Melvin as Sarah and John Billingsley as Lloyd Zane Miller. Directed by Charles Moore; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Charles Moore
-
Milo Ventimiglia as Denny Briggs -
Rachel Melvin as Sarah - John Billingsley as Lloyd Zane Miller
- Bonita Friedericy as Linda Miller
Also Starring in Madtown
· 6 more- Amanda Aday Madison Briggs
- Kristina Kopf Calista Briggs
- Joshua Elijah Reese Mandel
- Kinsley Funari Young Madison
- Brett Castro Young Denny
- Matt Lockwood Shaun
Madtown Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Madtown 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in sensory experience (65).
Madtown Echo Score Breakdown
Madtown delivers a character-driven drama with notable strengths in performance and atmosphere. Reviews consistently highlight the film’s well-drawn characters and engaging sense of place, while acknowledging occasional pacing missteps and an underdeveloped musical score. The story’s emotional resonance and grounded art direction underpin much of its appeal, though some find the narrative uneven toward the conclusion. Overall, Madtown achieves a compelling balance of depth and accessibility, making it a rewarding experience for many viewers.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, Madtown demonstrates strong visual design and effective location work that ground the narrative in a believable setting. Several critics noted the sense of place is rendered with precision, and independent reviews praise the production design despite budget constraints. Some viewers point to inconsistent editing rhythms and occasional cinematic flatness. The film’s cohesive visual identity generally supports its storytelling ambitions.
- Character & Emotion 78
When it comes to character and emotion, Madtown benefits from nuanced performances by its lead cast and well-drawn interpersonal dynamics. Critics and many audience members commend the emotional authenticity, with certain supporting roles sometimes criticized as uneven. The central chemistry between the protagonists and the portrayal of familial bonds receive particular acclaim. Overall, the film’s character work delivers a resonant and engaging emotional core.
- Story & Flow 72
In terms of story and flow, Madtown presents a compelling premise anchored by thoughtful themes of family and trauma, with generally measured pacing. Reviewers note that the narrative remains engaging from start to finish, though some find the conclusion leaves minor plot threads unresolved and occasional tonal shifts feel abrupt. The interplay of originality and familiarity maintains interest throughout. Ultimately, the story offers depth even amid uneven transitions.
- Sensory Experience 65
When considering the sensory experience, Madtown features a restrained visual style and clear sound design that support its grounded tone. The film’s soundtrack draws critique for lacking distinctive identity. Cinematic textures and location sound are effective, but the audio-visual cohesion feels modest. Overall, the sensory elements support the film without asserting a strong presence.
- Rewatch Factor 75
In terms of rewatch factor, Madtown rewards viewers with its layered performances and thematic nuance. Many note that subsequent viewings reveal deeper emotional details, though some pacing inconsistencies can lessen fresh engagement. While the film’s modest production scale may limit broad replay appeal, its grounded character work encourages revisiting. Ultimately, Madtown delivers solid rewatch value for its intended audience.
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IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
TMDB 20% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.4 /5
See on Movie Insider
Seen Madtown?
Movies Like Madtown
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Mad City, Madigan and Mad Detective.
Madtown FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Madtown, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Madtown?
Madtown runs 2 hours (120 minutes).
When was Madtown released?
Madtown was released on January 5, 2018.
Who directed Madtown?
Madtown was directed by Charles Moore.
More films by Charles Moore Who is in the cast of Madtown?
Madtown stars Milo Ventimiglia as Denny Briggs, Rachel Melvin as Sarah and John Billingsley as Lloyd Zane Miller, among 10 credited actors.
What was the budget of Madtown?
Madtown had a reported budget of $50,000.
How is Madtown rated?
Madtown has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 20% on TMDB and 3.4/5 on Movie Insider.
Does Madtown have a post-credit scene?
No. Madtown has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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