Logo What's After the Movie

The Kid 2019

In the rugged American Southwest, a young boy named Rio embarks on a dangerous journey to shield his sister from a cruel uncle. His path unexpectedly crosses with the pursuit of Sheriff Pat Garrett and the notorious Billy the Kid. As Rio faces perilous situations, he grapples with a crucial decision: will he embrace a life of crime or strive to become a hero?

In the rugged American Southwest, a young boy named Rio embarks on a dangerous journey to shield his sister from a cruel uncle. His path unexpectedly crosses with the pursuit of Sheriff Pat Garrett and the notorious Billy the Kid. As Rio faces perilous situations, he grapples with a crucial decision: will he embrace a life of crime or strive to become a hero?

Does The Kid have end credit scenes?

No!

The Kid does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Kid

Explore the complete cast of The Kid, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Kid

See how The Kid is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Kid stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

51

In terms of its overall impact, The Kid delivers a mixed experience marked by strong performances but uneven execution. The film’s lead actors exhibit notable commitment and bring depth to their roles, yet the narrative structure and pacing suffer from abrupt shifts and underdeveloped subplots. Visual elements and sound design are adequate at times but lack consistent cohesion, and the film’s modest replay value underscores its limited memorability. As a result, The Kid feels like a competent but flawed Western that struggles to sustain engagement.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Kid

55
Echo Score

Art & Craft

Art & Craft in The Kid feels inconsistent, with moments of assured direction offset by uneven cinematography and editing. Some sequences are staged with clear visual intent and strong framing, yet others exhibit abrupt cuts and lack visual coherence. The production design and camera work oscillate in quality, leading to a mixed impression of the film’s craftsmanship.

70
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

In terms of character and emotion, The Kid benefits from committed lead performances that bring nuance to the protagonists. Ethan Hawke’s portrayal offers measured depth and moral struggle, while Chris Pratt’s turn as antagonist injects unexpected intensity. Some supporting roles, however, lack sufficient development and emotional weight. Overall, the film presents a generally compelling central duo that elevates its character-driven elements despite occasional unevenness.

45
Echo Score

Story & Flow

When it comes to story and flow, The Kid exhibits uneven narrative cohesion and pacing that disrupts viewer engagement. Dual plotlines regarding a legendary outlaw and a sibling pair struggle to integrate smoothly, leading to abrupt tonal shifts and sporadic clarity. While certain dramatic set pieces offer engaging dynamics, the overall structure feels disjointed and rarely sustains a coherent progression throughout its runtime.

45
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

In terms of sensory experience, The Kid presents an inconsistent audiovisual palette that undermines immersion. The musical score occasionally supports the atmosphere but often feels underutilized, and the sound design varies in impact from subdued to overpowering. Visually, the film fluctuates between effective framing and less polished sequences, resulting in a fragmented sensory cohesion.

40
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

When it comes to rewatch factor, The Kid offers limited incentives for repeat viewings. The narrative’s uneven pacing and conflicting subplots dilute the film’s memorability, and moments of promise are offset by structural weaknesses. While strong performances may invite a second look, the overall experience lacks sufficient depth and cohesion to sustain a compelling return engagement.

Metacritic

51

Metascore

6.2

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

90%

TOMATOMETER

review

55%

User Score

IMDb

5.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

59

%

User Score

Movie Insider

3.25/5

From 4 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Kid Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Kid with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Kid Quiz: Test your knowledge on the thrilling adventures of Rio and his encounters with legendary figures in 'The Kid'.

Who is the main character that goes on the run to save his sister?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Kid

See more

Read the complete plot summary of The Kid, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Rio Cutler, portrayed by Jake Schur, finds himself on a perilous journey across the vast Southwestern United States, determined to rescue his sister, Sara, played by Leila George, from the clutches of their malevolent uncle, Grant Cutler, brought to life by Chris Pratt. This desperate mission stems from a tragic event where Rio was compelled to take action against his father, who refused to stop harming their mother. In a moment of distress, Rio shot his father, leading Grant to abduct Sara in a fit of wrath over his brother’s death.

Fueled by vengeance, Grant pursues Rio, sustaining a stab wound during the confrontation, but the siblings manage to break free and seek refuge in a decrepit shack as they prepare to meet their mother’s friend in Santa Fe. Their journey soon spirals into chaos as they cross paths with the infamous Billy the Kid, skillfully portrayed by Dane DeHaan, and his motley crew, including characters played by Chris Bylsma, Keith Jardine, Charlie Chappell, and Chad Dashnaw. In a compelling conversation, Rio shares a picture of his mother with Billy, who reveals a hauntingly similar experience of having killed his father in defense of his own mother.

This fateful day unfolds further as they encounter Sheriff Pat Garrett, who is tirelessly chasing down Billy the Kid. A violent shootout erupts, leading to the capture of Billy and his gang. As Rio and Sara lose themselves in the turmoil, they find themselves caught in the web of legendary outlaws and lawmen, where every choice could seal their fate. Rio ventures outside against Sara’s warnings, uncautiously believing it might lead to safety, and finds himself embroiled in a tense interrogation by Sheriff Garrett, played by Ethan Hawke, regarding their family’s traumatic history.

As events unfold, the posse takes a critical stop at a Mexican ranch, where Billy rekindles his romance with his lover, amidst growing hostility towards Garrett. Rio cleverly aids Billy’s escape, slipping him butter to free himself from the shackles, as tensions with Garrett escalate dramatically. The plot thickens when Rio contemplates confessing his father’s murder to Garrett, but is thwarted by his sister’s fears of the consequences that accompany such a revelation.

Upon reaching Santa Fe, Sheriff Romero, portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, sets his sights on executing Billy, but Garrett asserts his jurisdiction as a federal officer. During this chaotic backdrop, Sara seizes the opportunity to flee with Rio as distractions abound, while Grant waits ominously in Santa Fe, threatening Sara with the horrors of a wretched fate.

In this pivotal moment, Rio learns about his former acquaintances like Dave, facing the gallows. Dave hands Rio a note from Billy that hints at a plan to help locate Sara. Thus, Rio is thrust into a critical decision; he must navigate a world teetering between the life of an outlaw or developing into a man of integrity. Fueled by courage, he embarks on a journey to Lincoln County in search of Billy’s aid, as their fates intertwine.

However, confusion clouds his path as he realizes Billy’s true intentions are far from heroic. While the pair attempts to escape, Rio ultimately faces an enigmatic decision that reverberates through his soul, leading to him revealing crucial information to Sheriff Garrett, which ends in a tragic showdown, leaving Billy fatally wounded.

As the dust settles from the violent encounters, Rio confronts the savage realities of his uncle Grant’s intentions and stands firm alongside Garrett as they hunt for the truth. A dramatic showdown ensues, culminating in an epic gunfight where bravery is measured against brutality. As Grant faces his reckoning, it is an unexpected distraction from Sara that allows Rio to act, leading to a moment of redemption through violence.

In the aftermath, Sheriff Garrett imparts wisdom to Rio and Sara, reinforcing the importance of their shared humanity while encouraging them that fear is merely a stepping stone toward achieving goodness in life. As they ride off into the sunset, Rio urges Sara to hold on to hope and remember that despite the darkness, one must continue striving to uncover the light in their lives.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Kid

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Kid. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Trailer

Cars Featured in The Kid

See 20 more

Explore all cars featured in The Kid, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Cadillac

2006

DTS

Cadillac

2017

XT5

Chrysler

1990

LeBaron Convertible

Dodge

1996

Caravan

Ford

2004

F-150

Ford

2011

Fiesta

GMC

1981

C-Series

Harley-Davidson

FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic

Harley-Davidson

FXDXT Dyna Super Glide T-Sport

Harley-Davidson

FXSTS Softail Springer

The Kid Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


abuseshowdownkilling a horsechild protagonistopening action sceneviolenceshootoutgunfightblondeblonde womansonmothermother son relationshipboychildarrestprisonercowboycowboy hatambushpistolrevolverrepeating riflewinchester riflesix shootersix gunquick drawsheriffoutlawoutlaw gangcowboys and outlawsdomestic violencechild uses gunabusive husbandabusive fatherknifebilly the kid characterpat garrett characterhistorical fictiontough guyrevisionist westernlever action rifleamerican historycolt single action army revolvertwo word titlebased on true story
Movie Wiki CTA - Movie Book

Unlock the World of Movies with Our Comprehensive Wiki

Dive into our Movie Wiki for in-depth film encyclopedia entries, including cast biographies, production trivia, plot synopses, behind-the-scenes facts, and thematic analyses. Whether you’re researching iconic directors, exploring genre histories, or discovering hidden easter eggs, our expertly curated movie database has everything you need to fuel your cinematic passion.

Movie Wiki CTA - Green Blue Wave

Similar Movies To The Kid You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.