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Action thriller

Pickings (2018): Cast & Ratings

Pickings (2018) movie poster

Pickings is a 2018 action thriller directed by Usher Morgan, starring Michelle Holland as Doris Pickens, Lynne Jordan and Katie Vincent. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and was made on a reported $350,000 budget. Its Echo Score is 53/100.

Echo Score
53
budget
$350K
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Pickings (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Usher Morgan
Genres
Action , Crime , Drama , Mystery
Original language
English
Budget
$350K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pickings About?

The premise of Pickings without spoilers.

A short-tempered mobster and his gang attempt to intimidate the owner of a local bar, but they quickly find themselves facing a formidable opponent. The bar owner is a mysterious Southern woman with a dangerous and hidden past, and she’s not one to be trifled with. When they push too far, they unleash her wrath, discovering they’ve made a grave mistake.

Pickings Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • neo noirish
  • southern
  • bar
  • mobster
  • pulp
  • gangster
  • revenge
  • mafia
  • based on book
  • independent film
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Cast & crew

Pickings Cast & Characters

Michelle Holland leads the cast as Doris Pickens, with Lynne Jordan as May Pickens and Katie Vincent as Scarlet Lee-Haywood. Directed by Usher Morgan; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Pickings

· 3 more
From the director

More from Usher Morgan

One more film directed by Usher Morgan: Windblown.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pickings Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 53/100, strongest in art & craft (68) and weakest in character & emotion (38).

53 /100

Pickings Echo Score Breakdown

Pickings delivers a visually ambitious indie effort that divides viewers. The film’s strong visual design and occasional entertaining action contrast with uneven pacing, derivative storytelling, and inconsistent performances. While some praise the direction and cinematography, many criticize the acting and lack of originality. The mixed reactions result in a modest overall impression that reflects both its stylistic flair and its 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 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows notable visual ambition. Reviewers highlight striking cinematography, effective use of color, and competent editing that keeps the runtime brisk. However, pacing issues and occasional low‑budget visual inconsistencies are noted. The balance of strong visuals with technical flaws leads to an overall above‑average assessment of the film’s artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    Character and emotional depth are generally seen as weak points. Multiple reviewers describe the acting as amateur, trite, or uneven, and note a lack of chemistry among the cast. While a few performances receive isolated praise, the prevalent view is that the characters feel underdeveloped and hinder audience engagement, resulting in a below‑average character rating.

  • Story & Flow 42

    The story receives mixed feedback, with several critics calling it derivative and poorly paced. References to heavy Tarantino influence and a lack of original plot elements dominate the commentary. Some viewers find the simple revenge premise entertaining, yet overall the narrative is perceived as weak, uneven, and lacking cohesion, placing the story rating in the lower‑mid range.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    Sensory experience garners both praise and criticism. The soundtrack and visual style are often described as energetic and reminiscent of larger productions, while some reviewers find the music overbearing and the sound design inconsistent. The visual flair and occasional impressive effects boost the score, but the uneven audio‑visual integration tempers enthusiasm, resulting in an average‑to‑slightly‑above score.

  • Rewatch Factor 52

    Rewatch potential is unsettled. Some audience members express a desire to see more from the director and enjoy the film’s entertaining moments, suggesting moderate replay value. Conversely, many advise against further viewing due to perceived flaws. This split leads to a middling rewatch factor, reflecting both the film’s occasional appeal and its notable shortcomings.

Videos

Pickings Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 featurette and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

Pickings - Official Trailer (2018) | Neo-Noir Independent Crime Film by Usher Morgan
  • Featurette Pickings Featurette - Now Streaming
  • Behind the Scenes Pickings, Interview with Katie Vincent - Ul Mundo Boston

Seen Pickings?

FAQ

Pickings FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Pickings?

Pickings runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Pickings released?

Pickings was released on March 2, 2018.

Who directed Pickings?

Pickings was directed by Usher Morgan.

More films by Usher Morgan

Who is in the cast of Pickings?

Pickings stars Michelle Holland as Doris Pickens, Lynne Jordan as May Pickens and Katie Vincent as Scarlet Lee-Haywood, among 7 credited actors.

What was the budget of Pickings?

Pickings had a reported budget of $350,000.

Does Pickings have a post-credit scene?

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

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