The Brawler (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
The Brawler is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Ken Kushner, starring Amy Smart as Linda Wepner, Taryn Manning and Zach McGowan. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $32,346 worldwide on a $6 million budget. Critics gave it 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Ken Kushner
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Vertical Entertainment
- Budget
- $6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Brawler About?
The premise of The Brawler without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This biographical drama tells the story of Chuck Wepner, a liquor delivery driver who pursues a shot at heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Driven by determination, Wepner undergoes rigorous training to face the boxing icon, embarking on a journey from New Jersey to Los Angeles. His unlikely underdog story explores themes of perseverance and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.
The Brawler Themes & Keywords
· 19 tags- boxer
- boxer shorts
- big ass
- sex scene
- boxing
- bare chested male
- male underwear
- briefs
- white briefs
- tighty whities
- man wears tighty whities
- female nudity
+7 more Show fewer
- brief female frontal nudity
- female frontal nudity
- underdog
- underdog sport
- female full frontal nudity
- female rear nudity
- 1970s
Where to Watch The Brawler
Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 10
The Brawler Cast & Characters
Amy Smart leads the cast as Linda Wepner, with Taryn Manning as Phyllis Wepner and Zach McGowan as Chuck Wepner. Directed by Ken Kushner; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ken Kushner
-
Amy Smart as Linda Wepner -
Taryn Manning as Phyllis Wepner - Zach McGowan as Chuck Wepner
- Nick Loeb as Donnie Wepner
Also Starring in The Brawler
· 10 more- Joe Pantoliano Al Braverman
- Robert Clohessy Anthony Mango
- Anthony Mangano Sylvester Stallone
- Jason James Richter John Olson
- Joseph R. Gannascoli John
- Burt Young Salvatore
- Tony Darrow Tommy, Head of the Family
- Arthur L. Bernstein FBI Special Agent Warfield
- Adam Falkoff
- Joe D'Onofrio
The Brawler Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Brawler 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 34/100, strongest in character & emotion (42) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
The Brawler Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Brawler presents a largely negative reception marked by uneven craft and storytelling deficiencies. Viewers and critics highlighted choppy editing, uninspired pacing, and derivative narrative elements that fail to distinguish the film from prior biopics. Performances were described as inconsistent, with poor impersonations offset by occasional nuanced moments. Soundtrack and visual style offer little impact, and the flat conclusion undermines audience investment. In sum, the film’s shortcomings in multiple areas limit its overall effectiveness and 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 30
In terms of Art & Craft, the film struggles with inconsistent editing and production design. Critics and users noted choppy pacing and rough fight choreography that disrupted visual flow. Casting mismatches in key roles also undercut the authenticity of the period detail. Overall, the craft choices detract from the film’s ability to engage through its visual and technical execution.
- Character & Emotion 42
When it comes to character and emotional resonance, performances are uneven and largely criticized. Several users described the lead portrayals as poor impersonations with limited depth, though a few supporting roles garnered praise for nuanced moments. The inconsistent acting undercuts the film’s intended biographical impact. Ultimately, character work remains a weak point in conveying emotional engagement.
- Story & Flow 40
In terms of story and flow, the narrative received mixed to negative remarks for its pacing and originality. Many reviewers found the plot derivative and slow, highlighting a flat final act and unnecessary similarities to earlier biopics. Occasional scenes depicting unique episodes in Chuck Wepner’s life drew interest, but these moments were not enough to offset the overall lack of dramatic momentum. The story ultimately feels uneven and uninspired.
- Sensory Experience 30
When considering the sensory experience, the film offers minimal distinction in soundtrack or sound design. Fight sequences were noted for their raw intensity but also criticized for poor choreography and rough audio cues. The visual style remains functional yet uninspired, with little evidence of a cohesive color palette or stylistic vision. Consequently, the sensory elements fail to elevate the material.
- Rewatch Factor 30
In terms of rewatch factor, the film has limited lasting appeal and low replay value for most viewers. Feedback describes a dreary, slow pace and a flat conclusion that reduce desire for subsequent viewings. A few users noted interest in specific biographical details, but these moments are too sparse to encourage repeat engagement. Overall, the film does not lend itself well to rewatching.
-
IMDb 4.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 46 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 43% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 1.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Brawler Plot Summary
What happens in The Brawler from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Chuck Wepner, portrayed by Zach McGowan, navigates the challenging life of being a top-ten heavyweight boxer, constantly striving to support his wife, Taryn Manning, and their children. The pivotal moment arrives when he learns he’s set to face none other than the legendary Muhammad Ali, igniting a storm of preparation alongside his trainer and manager, Joe Pantoliano, who plays Al Braverman. As the showdown draws near, Chuck’s training ramps up significantly. However, just before their press conference, Ali’s shocking request to deliver a tirade filled with racial slurs for publicity turns Chuck’s world upside down – a proposal he firmly declines.
Full summary
The whole story of The Brawler, scene by scene
The Brawler Box Office & Budget
The Brawler grossed $32,346 worldwide on a $6 million budget.
Worldwide gross
$32.3K
- International
- $32.3K
- Budget
- $6M
The Brawler Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Brawler.
How Well Do You Know The Brawler?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who did Chuck Wepner face in the boxing match that defined his career?
Seen The Brawler?
Movies Like The Brawler
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Fighter, The Fight Machine and American Fighter.
The Brawler FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Brawler, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Brawler?
The Brawler runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Brawler released?
The Brawler was released on January 18, 2019.
Who directed The Brawler?
The Brawler was directed by Ken Kushner.
More films by Ken Kushner Who is in the cast of The Brawler?
The Brawler stars Amy Smart as Linda Wepner, Taryn Manning as Phyllis Wepner and Zach McGowan as Chuck Wepner, among 14 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Brawler?
In the US, The Brawler is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did The Brawler make at the box office?
The Brawler grossed $32,346 worldwide on a budget of $6 million.
How is The Brawler rated?
The Brawler has 4.8/10 on IMDb, 46 on Metacritic, 43% on TMDB and 1.8/5 on Movie Insider.
Does The Brawler have a post-credit scene?
No. The Brawler has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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