Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

The Dirt (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Dirt (2019) movie poster

The Dirt is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Jeff Tremaine, starring Trace Masters as Frank Feranna, Jr., Age 8, Douglas Booth and Kabby Borders. It is based on The Dirt by Tommy Lee and Mick Mars. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $15,682 worldwide. Critics gave it 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
38%
worldwide gross
$15.7K
Echo Score
51
Loading streaming availability…
The Dirt (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Jeff Tremaine
Genres
Biography , Drama , Comedy , Music
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Dirt About?

The premise of The Dirt without spoilers, adapted from The Dirt by Tommy Lee and Mick Mars. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the wild 1980s, a group of rebellious misfits rise from humble beginnings to achieve global rock stardom as Mötley Crüe. The band's journey is filled with excess, scandal, and unforgettable performances as they navigate the highs and lows of the music industry, ultimately becoming one of the most iconic bands in rock history.

The Dirt Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • music band
  • guitarist
  • bassist
  • singer
  • vocalist
  • drummer
  • celebrity
  • drug abuse
  • price of fame
  • bass
  • drum
  • death of daughter
+38 more
  • 1980s
  • los angeles california
  • based on autobiography
  • spondylitis
  • rise and fall
  • female frontal nudity
  • stripper
  • drug overdose
  • heroin addiction
  • car accident
  • nightclub
  • drug addiction
  • cocaine
  • glam metal
  • rock band
  • rock music
  • vehicular manslaughter
  • glam metal band
  • female ejaculation
  • heavy metal music
  • heavy metal band
  • groupie
  • band
  • group
  • commercial
  • businessman
  • guitar
  • quartet
  • reference to scorpions the band
  • reference to van halen
  • reference to kiss
  • reference to bon jovi
  • reference to david lee roth
  • reference to ozzy osbourne
  • reference to skid row
  • reference to cyndi lauper
  • reference to boy george
  • loss of child
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Dirt Cast & Characters

Trace Masters leads the cast as Frank Feranna, Jr., Age 8, with Douglas Booth as Nikki Sixx and Kabby Borders as Tommy's Girlfriend. Directed by Jeff Tremaine; 21 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Jeff Tremaine

More films directed by Jeff Tremaine, best-rated first: Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3-D, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa and Jackass: The Movie.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Dirt Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Dirt 38% on Rotten Tomatoes and 39 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 51/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in art & craft (45).

51 /100

The Dirt Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, The Dirt offers an energetic portrayal of Mötley Crüe that is undermined by superficial storytelling and uneven craftsmanship. The ensemble performances provide moments of charm and insight, yet the plot compresses too much material into a shallow narrative, detracting from emotional depth. Visually, the film’s generic staging and blunt lighting reduce atmospheric impact despite brisk editing. While the soundtrack delivers spirited rock-infused momentum, the lacking cohesion limits lasting engagement. Overall, The Dirt registers as a mixed biopic with occasional sparks amid structural shortcomings.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, The Dirt exhibits generic staging and flat visual atmosphere. Directional choices often favor blunt lighting over nuanced framing, though the brisk editing injects occasional momentum. Production design captures period details adequately but rarely enhances narrative immersion. The overall visual rhythm feels serviceable rather than inspired, limiting sustained stylistic impact.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances stand out as the film’s primary strength. The lead actors deliver earnest portrayals that convey raw energy, yet character depth is frequently compromised by perfunctory narrative transitions. Emotional resonance emerges in isolated moments but is undercut by one-dimensional interactions. Ultimately, the film offers charismatic portrayals lacking consistent emotional profundity.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, The Dirt presents an engaging chronology of band milestones but struggles with coherence. The screenplay packs extensive biographical events into a condensed runtime, leading to uneven pacing and truncated development. Narratively, the film leans on formulaic beats that limit originality and engagement. Consequently, the storyline feels brisk yet disjointed.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When evaluating sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack provides spirited rock-driven energy that aligns well with the subject matter. Sound design remains clear but unremarkable, and the visual style lacks cohesion, often defaulting to nondescript lighting. While musical sequences inject vibrancy, the overall sensory presentation balances basic technical competence with a missed opportunity for immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, The Dirt offers intermittent entertainment that may appeal to dedicated fans on repeat viewings. Select sequences deliver nostalgic adrenaline, yet the superficial structure and limited narrative depth reduce long-term appeal. The film’s reliance on familiar biopic tropes further diminishes incentives for multiple viewings among broader audiences.

Plot

The Dirt Plot Summary

What happens in The Dirt 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

Franklin Carlton Ferrana, Jr. has reached a breaking point with his mother’s endless parade of partners, an ongoing saga that began after his father walked out on them. Tragically, he finds himself burdened with his father’s name. In a bold attempt for revenge against his latest stepfather’s abuse, Frank takes drastic action, culminating in a shocking incident that leads to the police being summoned. Fast forward ten years, and we find Frank now residing in Los Angeles, where he stands in line at the county court waiting to collect his new ID. As he burns his old identification, we discover he has legally transformed his name to Nikki Sixx. Upon exiting the courthouse, he destroys his former identity, marking a definitive break from his past.

Full summary

The whole story of The Dirt, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Dirt Box Office

The Dirt grossed $15,682 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.7K

International
$15.7K
Videos

The Dirt Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Dirt.

The Dirt | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Dirt?

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 name does Frank Jr. officially change to?

Cars

Cars in The Dirt

53 cars on screen, including the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 and the 1972 Stutz Blackhawk.

All 53 cars
  • 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 in The Dirt 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 Important role
  • 1972 Stutz Blackhawk in The Dirt 1972 Stutz Blackhawk Important role
  • AMC Gremlin in The Dirt AMC Gremlin Minor role
  • 1986 Chevrolet Caprice in The Dirt 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
Details

The Dirt Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “The Dirt – Törkytehdas” and “The Dirt: Οι Mötley Crüe Εξομολογούνται”.

Also known as
  • The Dirt – Törkytehdas
  • The Dirt: Οι Mötley Crüe Εξομολογούνται
  • ザ・ダート モトリー・クルー自伝
  • Грязь
  • The Dirt – Confissões do Mötley Crüe
  • 더 더트
  • Бруд
  • Brud
  • The Dirt: Mötley Crüe
  • The Dirt - Sie wollten Sex
  • Drugs & Rock ’n’ Roll
  • 劣迹斑斑
+8 more
  • Кирливите ризи
  • Hnüs
  • הלכלוך: סיפורה של מוטלי קרו
  • Mötley Crüe: Mocskos rock 'n' roll
  • Purvas
  • ザ・ダート:モトリー・クルー自伝
  • Ban Nhạc Tai Tiếng
  • The Dirt: Povestea trupei Mötley Crüe

Seen The Dirt?

FAQ

The Dirt FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Dirt, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Dirt?

The Dirt runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was The Dirt released?

The Dirt was released on March 22, 2019.

Who directed The Dirt?

The Dirt was directed by Jeff Tremaine.

More films by Jeff Tremaine

Who is in the cast of The Dirt?

The Dirt stars Trace Masters as Frank Feranna, Jr., Age 8, Douglas Booth as Nikki Sixx and Kabby Borders as Tommy's Girlfriend, among 21 credited actors.

How much did The Dirt make at the box office?

The Dirt grossed $15,682 worldwide.

How is The Dirt rated?

The Dirt has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, 39 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Is The Dirt based on a book?

Yes. The Dirt is adapted from The Dirt by Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx and Neil Strauss.

Does The Dirt have a post-credit scene?

No. The Dirt has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app