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Documentary

Screwball (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Screwball (2019) movie poster

Screwball is a 2019 documentary directed by Billy Corben, starring Nicholas Ryan Hernandez as Anthony Carbone, Bryan Blanco and Blake McCall. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $13,967 worldwide. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$14K
Echo Score
73
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Screwball (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Billy Corben
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Screwball About?

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

Director Billy Corben examines the connection between Miami's criminal element and Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug scandal. The film explores the dealings of steroid supplier Anthony Bosch and his relationships with prominent players, including Alex Rodriguez. Through a blend of humor and investigation, the documentary raises serious questions about ethics and integrity within professional sports, revealing a complex web of ambition, money, and deceit.

Screwball Themes & Keywords

· 12 tags
  • baseball
  • baseball player
  • major league baseball
  • reenactment
  • one word title
  • tanning salon
  • revenge
  • fake doctor
  • new york yankees
  • florida
  • steroids
  • performance enhancing drug
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Cast & crew

Screwball Cast & Characters

Nicholas Ryan Hernandez leads the cast as Anthony Carbone, with Bryan Blanco as Tony Bosch and Blake McCall as Alex Rodriguez. Directed by Billy Corben; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Screwball

· 7 more
From the director

More from Billy Corben

More films directed by Billy Corben, best-rated first: Men of War, Cocaine Cowboys, Limelight and Square Grouper.

Full filmography
Ratings

Screwball Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Screwball 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

73 /100

Screwball Echo Score Breakdown

Screwball presents an energetic and comedic exploration of the Biogenesis scandal, balancing entertaining flourishes with uneven critical depth. The film’s playful reenactments and stylized direction receive praise for originality and pacing, though some viewers find the technique repetitive. Character portrayals are engaging but lack the moral scrutiny expected in a hard-hitting documentary. Sensory elements trade subtlety for humor, reinforcing the film’s lighthearted tone. Overall, Screwball offers an enjoyable but stylistically divisive experience that leans toward entertainment over investigative rigor.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and production design, the film employs creative framing and child-acted reenactments that reviewers call energetic and original. Critics praise the bold visual approach for its humor, while others note that repetitive stylization can feel self-indulgent. The editing maintains momentum but occasionally overstays the conceit. Ultimately, the film’s artful craft delivers a distinct personality tempered by occasional excess.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    When it comes to character depth, Screwball introduces a cast of vivid personalities whose eccentricities fuel the narrative. Observers highlight the abundance of colorful figures and engaging anecdotes that sustain interest. However, the film’s lighthearted tone means subjects are seldom examined with moral rigor, limiting emotional resonance. On balance, character portrayals are entertaining but do not delve deeply into ethical dimensions.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Screwball unfolds with brisk momentum and a series of memorable vignettes drawn from the Biogenesis scandal. Audiences appreciate the lively structure and frequent humorous twists that maintain engagement. Some critics point out that narrative shortcuts and stylized interludes occasionally disrupt focus. Overall, the story is original and engaging but uneven in its thematic depth.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When assessing the sensory experience, the film relies on a playful visual style and punchy soundtrack choices to amplify its comedic tone. Reviewers note the effective use of snarky sound design and bold color contrasts in reenactments. Yet the conspicuous aesthetic and frequent stylistic shifts may distract from the documentary’s informative content. Altogether, the sensory elements support entertainment over subtlety.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding replay value, Screwball’s novel conceits and fast pace offer a degree of lasting appeal for viewers drawn to whimsical documentary styles. Enthusiasts may revisit for its humorous reenactments and memorable anecdotes. Nonetheless, the heavy reliance on a single visual gimmick and limited moral exploration may diminish enjoyment on subsequent viewings. In sum, the rewatch factor is moderate due to its style-driven approach.

Plot

Screwball Plot Summary

What happens in Screwball from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

They say South Florida is a sunny place for shady people, and filmmaker Billy Corben has a knack for highlighting its most intriguing characters through his acclaimed documentaries such as Cocaine Cowboys and The U. In his latest work, Screwball, he presents a captivating true-crime comedy that feels like it could leap from the pages of an Elmore Leonard novel. The film delves into the world of doping in Major League Baseball, seen through the eyes of Anthony Bosch](/actor/anthony-bosch), a controversial figure well-versed in performance-enhancing drugs and intricately involved in the scandals surrounding stars like Alex Rodriguez, [Manny Ramirez, and other renowned players.

Full summary

The whole story of Screwball, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Screwball Box Office

Screwball grossed $13,967 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$14K

US & Canada
$14K
Videos

Screwball Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Screwball - Official Trailer
  • Clip Screwball | 2019 Movie Clip #Documentary Film
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Screwball?

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 is the filmmaker behind 'Screwball'?

Details

Screwball Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “螺旋球” and “스크루볼: 도핑의 변화구”.

Also known as
  • 螺旋球
  • 스크루볼: 도핑의 변화구
  • כדור מטעה
  • Screwball: Doping no Baseball
  • Stele căzătoare
  • Screwball: Nas Malhas do Doping
  • 美國職棒禁藥風雲
  • 美國職棒禁藥疑雲
  • Screwball – A dopping nem játék
  • Η Μπάλα Χάθηκε
  • スクリューボール ~MLB薬物スキャンダル~
  • Падение Родригеса
+3 more
  • คลั่งเข้าเส้น
  • Büyük Falso
  • Screwball: Bê bối doping bóng chày

Seen Screwball?

FAQ

Screwball FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Screwball?

Screwball runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Screwball released?

Screwball was released on March 29, 2019.

Who directed Screwball?

Screwball was directed by Billy Corben.

More films by Billy Corben

Who is in the cast of Screwball?

Screwball stars Nicholas Ryan Hernandez as Anthony Carbone, Bryan Blanco as Tony Bosch and Blake McCall as Alex Rodriguez, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Screwball make at the box office?

Screwball grossed $13,967 worldwide.

How is Screwball rated?

Screwball has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does Screwball have a post-credit scene?

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

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