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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

The Brawler (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

The Brawler (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
4.8/10
worldwide gross
$32.3K
Echo Score
34
Metascore
46
The Brawler (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Ken Kushner
Genres
Biography , Drama , History , Sport
Original language
English
Budget
$6M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • brief female frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • underdog
  • underdog sport
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • 1970s
Where to watch

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.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in The Brawler

· 10 more
Ratings

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).

34 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

The Brawler Box Office & Budget

The Brawler grossed $32,346 worldwide on a $6 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$32.3K

International
$32.3K
Budget
$6M
Videos

The Brawler Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Brawler.

Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  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 did Chuck Wepner face in the boxing match that defined his career?

Seen The Brawler?

FAQ

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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