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Drama

Pimp (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Pimp (2018) movie poster

Pimp is a 2018 drama directed by Christine Crokos, starring Keke Palmer as Wednesday, Haley Ramm and DMX. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and History Vault, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
Echo Score
68
Metascore
44
Pimp (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Christine Crokos
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pimp About?

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

A gritty drama follows Wednesday, portrayed by Keke Palmer, a resilient woman striving to leave the streets behind. She operates as a pimp, navigating a dangerous and competitive world of prostitution. Her girlfriend, Nikki, becomes involved, and together they experience a period of success. However, a formidable rival emerges, threatening their position and forcing Wednesday into a perilous fight for dominance and her aspirations.

Pimp Themes & Keywords

· 15 tags
  • female pimp
  • female protagonist
  • lesbian sex
  • strong female protagonist
  • death
  • voice over narration
  • female female kiss
  • gun
  • pistol
  • money
  • strip club
  • bronx new york city
+3 more
  • prostitute mother
  • title directed by female
  • one word title
Where to watch

Where to Watch Pimp

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and History Vault, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Pimp Cast & Characters

Keke Palmer leads the cast as Wednesday, with Haley Ramm as Nikki and DMX as Midnight John. Directed by Christine Crokos; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Pimp Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pimp 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in story & flow (58).

68 /100

Pimp Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Pimp exhibits a strong commitment to performance and a raw stylistic energy but is hampered by uneven narrative coherence and modest sensory impact. Critics and audiences alike highlight Keke Palmer’s compelling portrayal and the film’s arresting grindhouse homage. However, many note a thin plot and variable pacing that undercut sustained engagement. While it delivers memorable moments and visceral tone, the combination of its narrative flaws and limited polish tempers its overall appeal.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of Art & Craft, Pimp displays a bold visual style that recalls classic exploitation cinema. The direction and production design convey raw urban textures, though occasional inconsistencies in set realism and editing polish weaken cohesion. Cinematography captures a gritty atmosphere, yet uneven authenticity in details slightly diminishes its overall stylistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film is anchored by Keke Palmer’s intense and committed performance, supported by several cast members who evoke genuine feeling. Critics and viewers praise the depth and emotional resonance of lead portrayals. Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped, but Palmer’s energy and the chemistry among principal actors sustain dramatic engagement throughout.

  • Story & Flow 58

    In terms of Story & Flow, responses to Pimp’s narrative are mixed, with praise for its raw portrayal of street life contrasted by criticism of thin plotting and uneven pacing. The film offers moments of genuine engagement through its thematic focus but often relies on familiar tropes and one-note developments. The inconsistent coherence limits its overall narrative impact.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the soundtrack and sound design support the film’s gritty mood without standing out. The blend of ambient street noise and music reinforces atmosphere, while visual cohesion varies between striking grindhouse references and occasional lapses in tone. Overall, sensory elements are effective but not consistently immersive.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Pimp offers memorable performances and a distinct atmosphere that some viewers may revisit for its raw energy. However, the inconsistent narrative depth and reliance on exploitation conventions may limit its lasting appeal for many. While certain emotional moments and stylized scenes encourage a second viewing, the uneven structure reduces its overall replay value.

Plot

Pimp Plot Summary

What happens in Pimp from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Wednesday Keke Palmer grows up learning the street’s rules from her father Midnight DMX, while her mother Mae Aunjanue Ellis works as one of his girls until he dies in his sleep from an overdose. With Midnight gone, Wednesday is left to look after her mother, who has slipped into addiction, and her girlfriend Nikki Haley Ramm.

To keep them afloat, Nikki decides to turn tricks, insisting it’s strictly business and somehow turning their luck around. The climb is gritty and hard-edged, but Wednesday refuses to quit, determined to build a better life for her girls and to find a way out of the Bronx with Nikki, all while trying to care for a strung-out Mae.

Full summary

The whole story of Pimp, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Pimp Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Pimp.

PIMP - Official trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pimp?

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 plays the lead character Wednesday?

Cars

Cars in Pimp

9 cars on screen, including the 1972 Dodge Coronet and the 2015 Cadillac Escalade.

All 9 cars
  • 1972 Dodge Coronet in Pimp 1972 Dodge Coronet Main role
  • 2015 Cadillac Escalade in Pimp 2015 Cadillac Escalade Important role
  • 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport in Pimp 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport Important role
  • 2003 Ford Expedition in Pimp 2003 Ford Expedition Minor role
Details

Pimp Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Сводник” and “女皮条客”.

Also known as
  • Сводник
  • 女皮条客
  • Pimp - A Bronx Tale
  • Alfons
  • Сутенёр
  • Pimp - Rainha do Gueto
  • 핌프
  • Pimp: Η Επανάσταση της Πεταλούδας

Seen Pimp?

FAQ

Pimp FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Pimp, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pimp?

Pimp runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Pimp released?

Pimp was released on November 9, 2018.

Who directed Pimp?

Pimp was directed by Christine Crokos.

More films by Christine Crokos

Who is in the cast of Pimp?

Pimp stars Keke Palmer as Wednesday, Haley Ramm as Nikki and DMX as Midnight John, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch Pimp?

In the US, Pimp is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, History Vault and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Pimp rated?

Pimp has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Pimp have a post-credit scene?

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

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