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Thriller

Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021) movie poster

Midnight in the Switchgrass is a 2021 thriller directed by Randall Emmett, starring Bruce Willis as Karl, Megan Fox and Emile Hirsch. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes and earned $229,811 worldwide on a $15 million budget. Critics gave it 8% on Rotten Tomatoes and 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10.

IMDb rating
4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
8%
worldwide gross
$229.8K
Echo Score
26
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Midnight in the Switchgrass (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 38m (98 min)
Director
Randall Emmett
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$15M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Midnight in the Switchgrass About?

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

During a routine investigation in Florida, FBI agents Helter and Lombardo find themselves embroiled in a series of disturbing murders. Partnering with a local police officer, Crawford, they launch an undercover operation to catch the perpetrator. However, the mission quickly becomes dangerous, placing Lombardo in grave danger and drawing Crawford into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a calculating serial killer, forcing them to confront escalating risks and unexpected twists.

Midnight in the Switchgrass Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • murder
  • federal agent
  • florida
  • serial killer
  • directorial debut
  • fbi federal bureau of investigation
  • pensacola florida
  • year 2004
  • radio news
  • urinating on the side of a road
  • truck stop
  • gun held to head
+38 more
  • motel
  • convenience store
  • abduction
  • surveillance-video
  • bound and gagged
  • woman bound and gagged
  • police procedural crime
  • serial killer crime
  • voice over
  • fbi agent
  • discovering a dead body
  • dead body
  • crime scene
  • hit on the head
  • sting operation
  • undercover fbi agent
  • female fbi agent
  • pimp
  • police officer
  • witness interview
  • truck driver
  • husband wife relationship
  • strangled to death
  • flashback
  • captive woman
  • abducted woman
  • biker bar
  • roadhouse
  • foot chase
  • fbi agent abducted
  • security camera footage
  • trucking company
  • telephone call
  • father daughter relationship
  • stabbed with a screwdriver
  • chained to a wall
  • stabbed in the chest
  • stabbed to death
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Cast & crew

Midnight in the Switchgrass Cast & Characters

Bruce Willis leads the cast as Karl, with Megan Fox as Rebecca and Emile Hirsch as Byron Crawford. Directed by Randall Emmett; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Midnight in the Switchgrass

· 6 more
From the director

More from Randall Emmett

More films directed by Randall Emmett, best-rated first: Savage Salvation and High Rollers.

Full filmography
Ratings

Midnight in the Switchgrass Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Midnight in the Switchgrass 8% on Rotten Tomatoes and 24 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 26/100, strongest in character & emotion (35) and weakest in art & craft (15).

26 /100

Midnight in the Switchgrass Echo Score Breakdown

Midnight in the Switchgrass fails to deliver as a compelling crime thriller. Critics highlight indistinct direction, a derivative plot, and a pervasive sense of cliche that undermines any potential tension. Performances range from occasional flashes of competence to largely flat deliveries, while technical aspects such as cinematography and editing are described as substandard. The cumulative effect is a film that offers little incentive for repeat viewings, resulting in a strongly negative overall impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 15

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits weak direction and deficient visual execution. Reviewers describe the debut directing as indistinguishable from low‑budget VOD thrillers and note a lack of distinctive cinematography. Editing is repeatedly criticized for continuity errors and jarring cuts. The production design offers no notable flair, contributing to an overall technical inadequacy.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When examining character and emotion, the movie presents a mixed yet largely unfavorable picture. Some critics acknowledge Megan Fox and Emile Hirsch delivering moments of energy, while others label the majority of performances as unconvincing and the characters as uninteresting. Bruce Willis’s minimal involvement is described as robotic, and overall chemistry fails to generate sustained emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 30

    The story and flow suffer from predictability and a lack of originality. Critics repeatedly point to a clichéd crime‑thriller formula, uneven pacing, and a script riddled with hack dialogue. Although a few viewers noted occasional gripping sequences, the narrative overall is described as haphazard, with unnecessary flashbacks and an unsatisfying resolution that diminishes engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 30

    Sensory experience is minimal, with reviewers describing the atmosphere as sleazy yet indistinct. No standout soundtrack or sound design is mentioned, and visual style is characterized as bland, offering no memorable aesthetic. The cumulative sensory impression aligns with the film’s broader lack of distinctive qualities, resulting in a subdued and forgettable viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    Rewatch value is low, as the film provides little incentive for repeat viewings. While a small number of users found it gripping enough to recommend, the overwhelming consensus cites formulaic execution, forgettable plot points, and weak performances. The lack of lasting appeal and limited narrative depth combine to make subsequent viewings unlikely for most audiences.

Plot

Midnight in the Switchgrass Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Midnight in the Switchgrass from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Based on the harrowing true events surrounding Texas’s most dangerous serial killer, this film skillfully relocates the gripping narrative to the vibrant state of Florida. The story unfolds as FBI Agent Karl Helter and his determined partner Rebecca Lombardo work tirelessly to dismantle a nefarious sex trafficking ring. As they dig deeper into the dark underbelly of crime, they inadvertently cross paths with a merciless serial killer, forcing them to partner with local hero Byron Crawford. Crawford, a veteran Agent with years of experience on the case, becomes instrumental to their investigation.

Full summary

The whole story of Midnight in the Switchgrass, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Midnight in the Switchgrass Box Office & Budget

Midnight in the Switchgrass grossed $229,811 worldwide on a $15 million budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$229.8K

International
$229.8K
Budget
$15M
Videos

Midnight in the Switchgrass Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Exclusive Trailer #1
  • Trailer Official Red Band Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Midnight in the Switchgrass?

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

Who are the primary FBI agents in the film?

Details

Midnight in the Switchgrass Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “惡夜性追緝” and “Midnight in the Switchgrass - Auf der Spur des Killers”.

Also known as
  • 惡夜性追緝
  • Midnight in the Switchgrass - Auf der Spur des Killers
  • Medianoche en el Switchgrass
  • Caccia al serial killer
  • Midnight in the Switchgrass - Caccia al serial killer
  • Полночь на злаковом поле
  • La Proie
  • Опівночі у високій траві
  • 午夜的柳枝
  • מצוד לילי
  • Hajsza egy gyilkos után
  • Po śladach mordercy
+10 more
  • Meia-Noite no Switchgrass
  • Tras la pista del asesino
  • FBI 데스트랩
  • Nửa Đêm Ở Switchgrass
  • Μεσάνυχτα του Τρόμου
  • Vidurnaktis rykštinėse sorose
  • Po stopách vraha
  • Meia-Noite em Switchgrass
  • ミッドナイト・キラー
  • Şirul crimelor

Seen Midnight in the Switchgrass?

FAQ

Midnight in the Switchgrass FAQ: Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Midnight in the Switchgrass?

Midnight in the Switchgrass runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).

When was Midnight in the Switchgrass released?

Midnight in the Switchgrass was released on July 23, 2021.

Who directed Midnight in the Switchgrass?

Midnight in the Switchgrass was directed by Randall Emmett.

More films by Randall Emmett

Who is in the cast of Midnight in the Switchgrass?

Midnight in the Switchgrass stars Bruce Willis as Karl, Megan Fox as Rebecca and Emile Hirsch as Byron Crawford, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Midnight in the Switchgrass make at the box office?

Midnight in the Switchgrass grossed $229,811 worldwide on a budget of $15 million.

How is Midnight in the Switchgrass rated?

Midnight in the Switchgrass has 4.6/10 on IMDb, 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, 24 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Midnight in the Switchgrass have a post-credit scene?

No. Midnight in the Switchgrass has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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