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Thriller

Muzzle (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Muzzle (2023) movie poster

Muzzle is a 2023 thriller directed by John Stalberg Jr., starring Aaron Eckhart as Jake Rosser, Diego Tinoco and Stephen Lang. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $24,353 worldwide. Critics gave it 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
36%
worldwide gross
$24.4K
Echo Score
40
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Muzzle (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Muzzle About?

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

Driven by grief and rage after his beloved dog is killed, Jake Rosser plunges into the dangerous world of Skid Row. He seeks justice for the senseless act, confronting the criminal elements that thrive in the city's shadows. As he navigates this harsh environment, Jake's own life spirals downward, forcing him to face not only the perpetrators but also his own demons.

Muzzle Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • dog
  • police dog
  • death of dog
  • conspiracy
  • conspiracy thriller
  • truth
  • police officer
  • emt
  • co written by director
  • writer director producer
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Cast & crew

Muzzle Cast & Characters

Aaron Eckhart leads the cast as Jake Rosser, with Diego Tinoco as Hernandez and Stephen Lang as Leland. Directed by John Stalberg Jr.; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Stalberg Jr.

More films directed by John Stalberg Jr.: Muzzle: City of Wolves and Bad Hombres.

Full filmography
Ratings

Muzzle Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Muzzle 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in story & flow (30).

40 /100

Muzzle Echo Score Breakdown

Muzzle delivers a modestly entertaining premise hampered by uneven execution across its core components. The film’s visual and narrative ambitions are undercut by a disjointed plot and uneven craftsmanship, though occasional moments of grit and a competent lead performance provide brief lifts. Viewers may find it tolerable for a single sitting, but the cumulative shortcomings limit its lasting appeal.

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

  • Art & Craft 35

    In terms of direction and visual execution, the film feels restrained and at times lackluster. Critics note an inventive spark but criticize the overall forgettable aesthetic and occasional overwrought effects. User comments describe a B‑movie feel and missed opportunities in editing. Consequently, the artistic execution sits below average, offering little distinctiveness.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character work, Aaron Eckhart’s performance garners modest praise, and the dogs add a measured charm. However, several reviewers point to uneven acting and shallow emotional depth. Audience reactions range from “terrible acting” to “tug at heart strings,” resulting in a balanced, average assessment of the character dimension.

  • Story & Flow 30

    The narrative suffers from an over‑crowded and convoluted structure. Critics repeatedly cite scattered threads, a routine storyline, and an unsatisfying resolution. Users echo this sentiment, describing the plot as “all over the place” and the ending as jarring. The overall coherence and originality of the story are therefore rated low.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    Sensory elements such as sound design and visual effects receive mixed remarks. Some praise a gritty tone, while others deride the visuals as akin to low‑budget footage with poor effects. The soundtrack is not highlighted positively, leading to a below‑average but not disastrous sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch potential is limited by the film’s uneven quality, yet a subset of viewers find it amusing enough for a casual repeat. Critics mention it works as a frat‑night diversion, and some users note it passed the time enjoyably. The combination of modest entertainment value and notable flaws yields a middling rewatch factor.

Plot

Muzzle Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Muzzle from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jake Rosser, Aaron Eckhart, is a seasoned LAPD K9 officer who patrols the streets with Ace, his loyal German Shepherd partner trained to sniff out cocaine and detect trouble before others do. Ace follows Jake’s commands without hesitation and would lay down his life to keep him safe. On a routine patrol that turns tense, the pair arrive at a disturbance and discover a stolen vehicle nearby. An inspector confirms the suspect has slipped away, but Ace’s nose reveals cocaine hidden in the trunk, and the team begins to trace the trail. The investigation heats up as Officer Hernandez scans the street for quick leads, while Jake remains focused on connecting clues to the broader drug operation.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Box office

Muzzle Box Office

Muzzle grossed $24,353 worldwide. $7,807 came from the US and Canada and $16,546 (68%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$24.4K

US & Canada
$7.8K
International
$16.5K
US & Canada 32% Rest of the world 68%
Videos

Muzzle Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Muzzle.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Muzzle?

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 Jake Rosser's first K9 partner?

Details

Muzzle Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “دهان‌بند” and “En busca de venganza”.

Also known as
  • دهان‌بند
  • En busca de venganza
  • Kaganiec
  • Ajuste de cuentas (Muzzle)
  • K9 - A fenevad
  • K9: Ocelový tesák
  • Miris osvete
  • Клык
  • K9 - Squadra antidroga
  • 神探忠犬
  • Farejando Vingança
  • Muzzle - K-9 Narcotics Unit
+7 more
  • חסר מעצורים
  • 머즐
  • 絕地戰犬
  • Намордник
  • Fără botniţă
  • Antsnukis
  • K9: Oceľový tesák

Seen Muzzle?

FAQ

Muzzle FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Muzzle?

Muzzle runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Muzzle released?

Muzzle was released on September 29, 2023.

Who directed Muzzle?

Muzzle was directed by John Stalberg Jr.

More films by John Stalberg Jr.

Who is in the cast of Muzzle?

Muzzle stars Aaron Eckhart as Jake Rosser, Diego Tinoco as Hernandez and Stephen Lang as Leland, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Muzzle make at the box office?

Muzzle grossed $24,353 worldwide ($7,807 domestic, $16,546 international).

How is Muzzle rated?

Muzzle has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 36% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65% on TMDB and 2.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Muzzle have a post-credit scene?

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

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