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Action comedy

The Machine (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Machine (2023) movie poster

The Machine is a 2023 action comedy directed by Peter Atencio, starring Bert Kreischer as Bert, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Jess Gabor. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $10.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
31%
worldwide gross
$10.7M
Echo Score
35
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The Machine (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Peter Atencio
Genres
Action , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Machine About?

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

Bert Kreischer's life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged father reappears, unleashing a series of chaotic events. A vengeful mobster emerges, determined to punish Bert for past actions, forcing him to confront a dangerous criminal underworld. With his father's reluctant assistance, Bert must reckon with youthful mistakes and navigate a perilous situation to find a path toward redemption.

The Machine Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • nickname
  • f word
  • profanity
  • russian
  • soviet
  • train
  • russia
  • golden gun
  • subtitled scene
  • based on real people
  • testicles
  • college
+2 more
  • father
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

The Machine Cast & Characters

Bert Kreischer leads the cast as Bert, with Stephanie Kurtzuba as LeeAnn and Jess Gabor as Sasha. Directed by Peter Atencio; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Machine

· 8 more
Ratings

The Machine Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Machine 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 37 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in sensory experience (40) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

35 /100

The Machine Echo Score Breakdown

!The Machine delivers limited appeal, with its comedic premise faltering under uneven execution. Critics and viewers alike note a paucity of genuine laughs, a disjointed tonal balance, and a reliance on crude humor that alienates many audiences; only a small segment of fans of Bert Kreischer’s style report some enjoyment. Consequently, the film’s lasting impression is weak, resulting in low rewatch potential and a generally unfavorable reception.

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

  • Art & Craft 38

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits a mixed visual approach that rarely compensates for its narrative shortcomings. Reviewers cite a surprisingly stylish aesthetic, yet the cinematography and editing lack cohesion, and the production design feels generic. Consequently, the overall technical execution remains mediocre.

  • Character & Emotion 32

    Character and emotional depth are largely under!developed, resulting in superficial performances throughout. Multiple reviewers describe the lead's portrayal as forced and the supporting cast as lacking chemistry, while a few note Mark Hamill’s moments of nuance. Overall, the acting fails to engage, limiting audience connection.

  • Story & Flow 35

    The narrative structure suffers from uneven pacing and tonal inconsistency. Critics highlight a disjointed plot that oscillates between absurd action and introspective confession, often feeling forced, while some viewers appreciate occasional engaging moments. In sum, the story’s lack of coherence hampers overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    The sensory elements offer occasional highlights but lack overall cohesion. While the film’s stylized visuals receive praise for their unexpected flair, the sound design and score are described as flat and unremarkable. Consequently, the auditory‑!visual experience remains inconsistent, contributing little to audience immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    The film’s rewatch potential is limited due to its uneven humor and narrative flaws. Viewers repeatedly mention a lack of memorable moments and a reliance on crude jokes that wear thin, though a minority cite enjoyment of specific action sequences. Overall, the movie is unlikely to invite repeated viewings.

Plot

The Machine Plot Summary

What happens in The Machine from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At a bustling Moscow casino, a notorious gangster known as Jovan Savic finds himself captivated by the side-splitting anecdotes of Bert Kreischer. Among these amusing tales is Bert’s infamous “Machine” story, which reveals the wild escapades he encountered with the Russian mafia during his college days, all while hinting at deeper, more intricate layers woven beneath the humor. Jovan becomes increasingly convinced that Bert possesses something he desperately desires.

Full summary

The whole story of The Machine, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Machine Box Office & Budget

The Machine grossed $10.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 53% of what it cost. $10.5 million came from the US and Canada and $205,997 (2%) from the rest of the world.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$10.7M

53% of its budget back

US & Canada
$10.5M
International
$206K
Budget
$20M
US & Canada 98% Rest of the world 2%
Videos

The Machine Trailers & Videos

24 videos: 2 trailers, 12 teasers, 1 clip, 1 featurette and 8 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 24 videos
Official Red Band Trailer
  • Trailer The Machine - Official Red Band Trailer (2023) Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill
  • Teaser Step 1: Cast Mark Hamill as your dream dad. Easy, right?
  • Teaser Step 2: SWOLEEE UP. No weak^ss movie stars here!
  • Teaser Step 3: Get fancy AF
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Machine?

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

Where does the film 'The Machine' begin?

Cars

Cars in The Machine

22 cars on screen, including the 2009 Mercedes-Benz G 500 W463 and the UAZ 3909.

All 22 cars
  • 2009 Mercedes-Benz G 500 W463 in The Machine 2009 Mercedes-Benz G 500 W463 Important role
  • UAZ 3909 in The Machine UAZ 3909 Important role
  • 2009 BMW 3 E90 in The Machine 2009 BMW 3 E90 Minor role
  • 2014 BMW 5 F10 in The Machine 2014 BMW 5 F10 Minor role
Details

The Machine Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “La Máquina” and “A Máquina do Crime”.

Also known as
  • La Máquina
  • A Máquina do Crime
  • Makine
  • Kdo se směje teď
  • الآلة
  • Maszyna
  • 机器也疯狂
  • Bert, a csúcsfegyver
  • 더 머신
  • Машина
  • Cỗ Máy
  • เดอะ แมชชีน ตำนานป่วน มาเฟียชวนปล้น
+8 more
  • 怪咖父子勇戰黑手黨
  • Mašina
  • המכונה
  • Mašīna
  • Машината
  • 騎呢父子勇戰黑手黨
  • द मशीन
  • Η Μηχανή

Seen The Machine?

FAQ

The Machine FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Machine?

The Machine runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was The Machine released?

The Machine was released on May 26, 2023.

Who directed The Machine?

The Machine was directed by Peter Atencio.

More films by Peter Atencio

Who is in the cast of The Machine?

The Machine stars Bert Kreischer as Bert, Stephanie Kurtzuba as LeeAnn and Jess Gabor as Sasha, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Machine make at the box office?

The Machine grossed $10.7 million worldwide ($10.5 million domestic, $205,997 international) on a budget of $20 million.

How is The Machine rated?

The Machine has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, 37 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Does The Machine have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Machine has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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