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Crime drama

Racer and the Jailbird (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Racer and the Jailbird (2018) movie poster

Racer and the Jailbird is a 2018 crime drama directed by Michael R. Roskam, starring Matthias Schoenaerts as Gigi Vanoirbeek, Sam Louwyck and Igor van Dessel. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $400,026 worldwide on a $8 million budget. Critics gave it 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
37%
worldwide gross
$400K
Echo Score
59
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Racer and the Jailbird (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
French
Budget
$8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Racer and the Jailbird About?

The premise of Racer and the Jailbird without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Luxury car dealer Gigi attempts to leave his criminal past behind, but finds himself drawn back into the Brussels underworld. He falls for Bibi, a mysterious race car driver, and their passionate relationship is complicated by Gigi's past and the dangerous individuals he crossed. A ruthless gang and the authorities are both closing in, threatening to tear them apart and expose their illicit dealings.

Racer and the Jailbird Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • female police officer
  • cancer
  • car racing
  • love
  • secret
  • male nudity
  • female nudity
  • female topless nudity
  • vomiting
  • ovarian cancer
  • coma
+38 more
  • death of girlfriend
  • escape from prison
  • long take
  • voice over
  • female rear nudity
  • racing driver
  • bank robber
  • f rated
  • race car driver
  • female race car driver
  • chapter headings
  • nudity
  • apartment
  • telephone call
  • cemetery
  • passion
  • dog barks
  • ringing telephone
  • armored truck robbery
  • man in a cage
  • fighting dog
  • reckless driver
  • male rear nudity
  • hospital visit
  • seeking immortality
  • tragic love story
  • police manhunt
  • belgium
  • miscarriage
  • conjugal prison visit
  • father daughter relationship
  • rear entry sex
  • family relationships
  • begins with childhood flashback
  • scene before opening credits
  • scene during opening credits
  • racetrack
  • banker
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Cast & crew

Racer and the Jailbird Cast & Characters

Matthias Schoenaerts leads the cast as Gigi Vanoirbeek, with Sam Louwyck as Prison manager and Igor van Dessel. Directed by Michael R. Roskam; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Racer and the Jailbird

· 11 more
From the director

More from Michael R. Roskam

More films directed by Michael R. Roskam, best-rated first: Bullhead and The Drop.

Full filmography
Ratings

Racer and the Jailbird Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Racer and the Jailbird 37% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 59/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

59 /100

Racer and the Jailbird Echo Score Breakdown

Racer and the Jailbird presents a blend of notable strengths and discernible flaws in its overall execution. The film benefits from compelling lead performances and striking visual sequences, which inject moments of energy and style. At the same time, the narrative shifts abruptly from high-stakes action to melodrama, resulting in uneven momentum and coherence. Supporting scenes such as the heist set-pieces demonstrate promise, yet extended dramatic passages often feel forced and slow. Ultimately, the film’s intermittent excitement and charisma are tempered by structural inconsistencies.

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

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers stylish cinematography and polished production design that enhance its high-octane sequences. Critics note the engaging visual flair in the opening heist and racing scenes, yet the slow pacing and uneven editing in the drama sequences undermine its momentum. Overall, the craftsmanship shows promise but lacks consistency.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the two leads deliver committed performances that anchor the film with palpable chemistry. Reviews highlight their nuanced portrayals and old-fashioned charisma, while some note that the supporting arcs remain underdeveloped. Despite occasional undercuts by strained romantic dynamics, the leads’ emotional resonance largely sustains audience engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative begins with brisk heist action but becomes increasingly convoluted and sluggish in its latter half. Critics describe the plot’s fundamental simplicity undermined by abrupt tonal shifts and forced melodrama. While certain set-pieces maintain engagement, the uneven pacing and coherence issues diminish overall plot effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film features a dynamic soundtrack and cohesive sound design that complement its stylized visuals. The opening racing sequences showcase effective use of audio and lighting to heighten adrenaline, yet the dramatic passages occasionally lack immersive texture. Overall, the sensory elements provide moments of excitement even if full cohesion is not sustained.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch value, moments of intense action and strong lead performances offer limited repeat appeal. Viewers may appreciate the heist sequences and charismatic chemistry on subsequent viewings, but predictable plot turns and uneven pacing lessen the incentive to revisit. Consequently, the film’s sporadic highlights struggle to maintain enduring replay value.

Plot

Racer and the Jailbird Plot Summary

What happens in Racer and the Jailbird from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a poignant flashback, Gigi as a young boy finds himself in a desperate situation, running from the police while facing the terrifying threat of his own father unleashing attack dogs on him.

Full summary

The whole story of Racer and the Jailbird, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Racer and the Jailbird Box Office & Budget

Racer and the Jailbird grossed $400,026 worldwide on a $8 million budget, 5% of what it cost. $46,337 came from the US and Canada and $353,689 (88%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$400K

5% of its budget back

US & Canada
$46.3K
International
$353.7K
Budget
$8M
US & Canada 12% Rest of the world 88%
Videos

Racer and the Jailbird Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Racer and the Jailbird Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
  • Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Racer and the Jailbird?

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 profession does Gigi pretend to have when he meets Bibi?

Details

Racer and the Jailbird Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Lenktynininkė ir gangsteris” and “Darebák a závodnice”.

Also known as
  • Lenktynininkė ir gangsteris
  • Darebák a závodnice
  • El fiel
  • A hűséges
  • Na krawędzi
  • Fidelidade Sem Limite
  • Jafuri, masini si fidelitate fara limite
  • נהגת המירוצים
  • Le fidèle - Una vita al massimo
  • Страсть и верность
  • Вірний. Пристрасть і злочин
  • 레이서 앤 제일버드
+9 more
  • Μη Φέρνεις Λουλούδια
  • השודד ונהגת המרוצים
  • Rasende Herzen
  • Sadakat
  • Състезателката и затворникът
  • Perseguido pelo Destino
  • 忠诚
  • El fidel
  • Le Fidèle - Jafuri, maşini şi fidelitate fără limite

Seen Racer and the Jailbird?

FAQ

Racer and the Jailbird FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Racer and the Jailbird?

Racer and the Jailbird runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was Racer and the Jailbird released?

Racer and the Jailbird was released on May 4, 2018.

Who directed Racer and the Jailbird?

Racer and the Jailbird was directed by Michael R. Roskam.

More films by Michael R. Roskam

Who is in the cast of Racer and the Jailbird?

Racer and the Jailbird stars Matthias Schoenaerts as Gigi Vanoirbeek, Sam Louwyck as Prison manager and Igor van Dessel, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Racer and the Jailbird make at the box office?

Racer and the Jailbird grossed $400,026 worldwide ($46,337 domestic, $353,689 international) on a budget of $8 million.

How is Racer and the Jailbird rated?

Racer and the Jailbird has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 37% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Racer and the Jailbird have a post-credit scene?

No. Racer and the Jailbird has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Racer and the Jailbird in?

The original language of Racer and the Jailbird is French.

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